Basketball

A buzzer beater and a new ‘Jimmy Buckets’ in Tel Aviv

Rising the ranks in Euroleague, Jimmy Clark's recent buzzer-beater victory shot led to Partizan Belgrade's defeat at the hands of Maccabi Tel Aviv.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV’S Jimmy Clark reacts after hitting the game-winning shot this week at Yad Eliyahu to send the yellow-and-blue to a 95-93 Euroleague victory over Partizan Belgrade.
Eretz Nehederet parodies Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, February 4, 2026.

Iran’s supreme leader tells Eretz Nehederet he’s bored of bingeing TV in his bunker

Eretz Nehederet shifted focus from Trump to a bunker-bound Khamenei, mocking Iran-US tensions, Israeli defense systems, and domestic politics amid mounting war anxiety.

|ByHANNAH BROWN
MACCABI TEL AVIV guard hits the game-winning shot late in the fourth quarter of the team’s 95-93 Euroleague home victory over Partizan Belgrade at Menora Mivtachim Arena.

Maccabi Tel Aviv tops Partizan at the buzzer, Hapoel continues to slump in Euroleague

Prior to the game, Maccabi Tel Aviv held a ceremony honoring Partizan for hosting the club for more than two years after the terrorist attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS forward Deni Avdija, the first Israeli selected to the NBA All-Star Game, has found his historic achievement followed by online backlash after a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Deni Avdija drawn into political storm after Netanyahu’s All-Star praise

Netanyahu’s message, posted shortly after Avdija was named an All-Star reserve, read: “Every time you step onto the court, our country shines with pride.”

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

Avdija’s All-Star dream: New format could open door for Israel's rising star

Through 10 games with the Portland Trail Blazers, Avdija has been playing at an All-Star level, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game on 47% shooting from the field and 37% fr

NOVEMBER 12, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ISRAELI FORWARD Deni Avdija is playing at an All-Star level for the Portland Trail Blazers through 10 games.

Hapoel Jerusalem captures Winner Cup title after tense final vs Hapoel Tel Aviv

The victory marked the seventh time Jerusalem won the Winner Cup, with the most recent coming in 2023.

NOVEMBER 9, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL JERUSALEM players celebrate with the Winner Cup trophy after beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 89-84 in Saturday night’s final at the Pais Arena in the capital.

Avdija, Blazers rally from 22 down to hand reigning NBA champs Thunder first loss of season

Israeli forward Deni Avdija delivers a near triple-double in a dramatic comeback win, as talk grows about his next big NBA contract.

NOVEMBER 7, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
DENI AVDIJA powered Portland past OKC, handing the reigning NBA champion its first loss of the season, November 5, 2025.

From LeBron to Holon: Jordan McRae’s Israeli homecoming and his Purple pride - interview

Jordan McRae, a former NBA basketball player, discusses his prolific career and return to the Israeli league with The Jerusalem Post.

NOVEMBER 6, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
FORMER NBA champion Jordan McRae has embraced Hapoel Holon’s spirit in his return to the Holy Land, hoping to lead the Purples back to prominence.

Hapoel Jerusalem pulls out thriller against Maccabi Rishon Lezion

In the extra session, it was all Jerusalem as Smith put in a pair of baskets while Harper hit his shots from the line to seal the win.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL JERUSALEM forward goes up to the hoops against Maccabi Rishon Lezion defender Amin Stevens (3) during the capital city Reds’ 100-93 overtime victory.

New York basketball team threatens legal action against mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani

The New York Knicks issued a cease-and-desist letter to Mamdani after the politician used a modified version of the Knicks logo in campaign advertisements.

OCTOBER 25, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani walks with supporters to 30 Rockefeller Plaza for the first mayoral debate in New York City, US, October 16, 2025

Maccabi Tel Aviv clips Real Madrid, Holon wins in France

Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Real Madrid 92-91 in the Euroleague, with Tamir Blatt hitting the game-winning 3-pointer and Lonnie Walker scoring 27 points for their second win of the season.

OCTOBER 23, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Tamir Blatt vs Real Madrid

Israeli basketball stars shine on NBA opening night: Avdija leads Portland, Saraf starts

Israeli basketball talent shone on NBA opening night as Deni Avdija led Portland and Ben Saraf debuted as Brooklyn’s youngest starter, marking a historic moment for Israeli hoops.

OCTOBER 23, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) brings the ball up the court against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Moda Center, October 22, 2025.

European basketball set to return to Israel in December

Two years after being forced to relocate games abroad, Israeli clubs will be able to host at home following the ceasefire and new security guarantees.

OCTOBER 21, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
BOTH TEL AVIV basketball teams – Maccabi Tel Aviv (in yellow) and Hapoel Tel Aviv (in red) – will be able to host Euroleague games in Israel starting in December following Tuesday's decision in the aftermath of the ceasefire.

Vasilije Micic reminds Europe who he is, leads Hapoel Tel Aviv past Valencia

Micic wasn’t about to let anyone think that at age 31 he was done. After a mystical third frame, he was anything but finished.

OCTOBER 16, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
VASILIJE MICIC had a dominant Euroleague performance for Hapoel Tel Aviv at Valencia, leading the Reds to victory with a vintage display of skill and leadership