By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The Israeli League Finals got underway on Tuesday with the latest edition of the Tel Aviv derby.
Maccabi Tel Aviv opened the championship series in dominant fashion, defeating Hapoel Tel Aviv 96-75 at Menora Mivtachim Arena to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three Finals.
The yellow-and-blue side controlled the contest from the opening quarter and carried a comfortable 49-34 advantage into halftime. Hapoel struggled to find offensive rhythm throughout the evening, committing 19 turnovers and failing to put together a sustained run.
Jaylen Hoard continued his outstanding playoff form with a game-high 20 points. Oshae Brissett followed with 16, while Jamie Clark and John DiBartolomeo added 15 apiece. Roman Sorkin also finished in double figures with 14 points as Maccabi placed five players in double digits.
For Hapoel, Jonathan Motley was the lone player to score in double figures, finishing with 12 points. Yam Madar and Vasilije Micic were unable to make their usual impact as Dimitris Itoudis’ side turned in one of its weakest performances of the postseason.
Game 2 of the Finals is scheduled for Thursday.
Winner League Playoffs 2026
Quarterfinals (best-of-three)
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv – Hapoel Altshuler Shaham Beer Sheva/Dimona 2-0 (106-90, 108-83)
Bnei Penlink Herzliya – Hapoel Netanel Holon 0-2 (73-84, 84-99)
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv – Maccabi Tapuzina Rishon LeZion 2-1 (74-82, 95-69, 96-83)
Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem – Hapoel Gilat Telecom Haemek 2-0 (82-71, 98-91)
Semifinals (best-of-five)
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv – Hapoel Netanel Holon 3-0 (107-93, 84-74, 89-61)
Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv – Hapoel Midtown Jerusalem 3-0 (20-0, 88-84, 89-81)
Finals (best-of-five)
Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv – Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv 1-0 (96-75)
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