Nantes Lights Up the Scoreboard in 107-89 Win Over La Rochelle

In a high-octane Ligue Nationale de Basket Pro B contest on May 20, 2026, Nantes erupted for 107 points to overwhelm La Rochelle 107-89. The home team’s relentless transition offense and hot shooting from deep proved too much for a La Rochelle side that struggled to contain the tempo throughout the night.

Match Overview

From the opening minutes, Nantes made it clear they intended to run. They pushed the ball at every opportunity, creating open looks in transition and knocking down 15 three-pointers at a scorching 48% clip. La Rochelle attempted to match the pace but fell behind in the second quarter when Nantes went on a 12-0 run that stretched the lead to 18 points.

Key Moments

• Early Fireworks: Nantes opened the game with a 9-2 run, setting the tone for an explosive first half that ended 62-48.
• Third Quarter Pushback: La Rochelle cut the deficit to 13 early in the third, but Nantes answered with three consecutive triples to restore order.
• Bench Depth: The Nantes reserves contributed 41 points, keeping the pressure on even when starters rested.

Tactical Story

Nantes’ offensive philosophy centered on space and quick decision-making. They utilized high ball screens to force La Rochelle’s defense into rotations, then kicked out to shooters or attacked gaps. Defensively, Nantes played aggressive passing lanes, forcing 17 turnovers that turned into 28 fast-break points. La Rochelle, despite shooting 52% from inside the arc, could not overcome the avalanche of transition buckets.

Standout Players

• Nantes: Guard Theo Maledon (not the NBA player, a different prospect) poured in a career-high 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting, including 6-of-9 from three. Center Yannis Morin added 18 points and 10 rebounds.
• La Rochelle: Forward Jordon Varnado led his team with 25 points and 7 rebounds, but his efforts were largely isolated.

Season Impact

Nantes’ emphatic win boosts their record in Pro B and strengthens their case for a playoff spot. La Rochelle, meanwhile, will need to regroup defensively as they slip further from the top half of the standings. The 107 points scored is one of the highest single-game totals in the league this season.