Cholet Basket delivered a composed road victory over Nanterre 92, winning 79-66 on May 17, 2026, in a LNB Pro A matchup that had significant implications for the middle of the standings. The visitors seized control in the second quarter and never looked back, leveraging a stifling defense and balanced scoring to silence the home crowd at the Palais des Sports Maurice Thorez.

Game Overview

Both teams entered the contest hovering around the playoff cut line, making this a high-stakes encounter in the tightly packed Pro A table. Nanterre struggled to find offensive rhythm against Cholet’s switch-heavy scheme, while the visitors methodically built their lead through patient execution and second-chance points. The final 13-point margin undersells Cholet’s dominance—they led by as many as 17 and controlled the glass throughout.

Key Moments

• First quarter stalemate: The opening period was a defensive grind, ending 16-16. Both teams shot under 40% from the floor.
• Second quarter separation: Cholet exploded for a 27-12 second quarter, fueled by a 14-0 run that spanned nearly five minutes. Nanterre missed eight consecutive shots during that stretch.
• Nanterre’s third-quarter response: The home side came out energized after halftime, cutting the deficit to nine points on a 7-2 run, but Cholet answered with back-to-back triples to restore order.
• Fourth-quarter management: Cholet controlled the tempo in the final period, never allowing Nanterre to get within single digits. A clinching dunk with two minutes left sealed the win.

Standout Players

• Cholet – Shooting Guard: Poured in a game-high 23 points, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, and added 5 assists. His hot hand in the second quarter broke the game open.
• Nanterre – Power Forward: Despite the loss, he posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, battling hard on the offensive glass.
• Defensive anchor: Cholet’s center recorded 3 blocks and altered countless shots inside, forcing Nanterre to settle for contested jumpers.

Season and Table Impact

The victory was critical for Cholet’s playoff aspirations, lifting them into the sixth spot in the LNB Pro A standings, just one game behind a potential home-court quarterfinal position. Nanterre, meanwhile, slipped to 10th place and face an uphill climb to break into the top eight. With only six regular-season games remaining, both teams will now enter a high-pressure stretch where every result matters.

Nanterre will look to bounce back on the road against Le Mans, while Cholet returns home to host Dijon in what promises to be another tight contest for postseason positioning.