By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv’s postseason aspirations have been dealt a significant blow ahead of Sunday’s crucial derby against Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv.
Starting guard Jimmy Clark III is currently listed as questionable after a flare-up of knee inflammation severely limited his effectiveness in his most recent outing in the 2025-26 EuroLeague Regular Season. Despite receiving a medical injection on Thursday night to manage the pain, the 25-year-old combo guard was unable to log significant minutes against Paris, and his availability for the upcoming clash remains uncertain.
The timing of the injury could not be worse for the Yellows, currently hanging by a thread in the standings. With the team fighting to secure a position in the Play-In Showdown zone, the potential absence of their floor general creates a massive void in the rotation.
עדכון: ג’ימי קלארק סובל מדלקת בברכו. אמש קיבל הגארד זריקה ומיעט לשחק. בספק לדרבי ביום ראשון
— Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabiTLVBC) April 10, 2026
At 18-18, the team coached by Oded Kattash needs to win both remaining games and get some help from results in other games to sneak into the Play-In Showdown zone and from there extend a bid to reach the Playoffs of Europe’s premier club competition. Following the meeting with the fellow Tel Aviv outfit in Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, they face Virtus Bologna in the same venue on Thursday in the Round 38 finale of the Regular Season.
The Georgia native has averaged 9.5 points, 4.3 assists, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game in 36 EuroLeague appearances this season, including 24 starts. He is a veteran of 44 EuroLeague appearances, combined with eight from last season following his midseason transfer to Maccabi.
Adding to Kattash’s tactical headaches, the roster is further depleted by a string of significant absences. Gabriel Lundberg is sidelined with an Achilles issue, while Amit Ebo, Gur Lavy, and T.J. Leaf remain out with foot, knee, and shoulder injuries, respectively.