Basketball

Tel Aviv teams keep winning while Jerusalem, Beersheba clubs triumph

Maccabi Tel Aviv cruised past Ironi Ness Ziona 111-80, Hapoel Tel Aviv got by Hapoel Holon 89-83, Hapoel Jerusalem downed Maccabi Ramat Gan 97-87, and Hapoel Beersheba crushed Maccabi Ra’anana.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
AFTER A lengthy injury absence, Lonnie Walker found his form right away in his return for Maccabi Tel Aviv, scoring 18 points in the yellow-and-blue 111-80 league win over Ironi Ness Ziona.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS Israeli forward Deni Avdija heads to the locker room after suffering an injury against the Phoenix Suns early in the first half on Sunday night.

Avdija leaves Blazers’ victory over Suns just one minute in with back injury

During Portland’s second offensive possession, Avdija felt discomfort while backing down his defender in the post. Almost immediately, he signaled that something wasn’t right.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Maccabi Tel Aviv players celebrate after beating Bnei Herzliya 109-90 in the State Cup final at Yad Eliyahu.

Maccabi Tel Aviv overwhelms Herzliya for State Cup crown

Maccabi Tel Aviv wins the 47th Israel State Cup with a dominant 109-90 victory over Bnei Herzliya, thanks to key performances from Sorkin, Hoard, and Blatt.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
IN HIS first year with Maccabi Tel Aviv, 24-year-old Sabra Gur Lavy continues to turn patience into prime-time performances for the yellow-and-blue, especially in recent victories.

Gur Lavy seizes his chance, becomes Maccabi Tel Aviv’s latest success story

After last year’s MVP performance, Maccabi Tel Aviv pounced on the Bat Shlomo native and added the young Sabra to its cadre.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Maccabi Tel Aviv rallies, downs Jerusalem in State Cup semis

With a 94-85 win, Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced to the State Cup final, which will take place on Thursday night. The yellow-and-blue will meet the winner of the Bnei Herzliya and Hapoel HaEmek clash.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Maccabi Tel Aviv players celebrating.

Spike Lee, Kyrie Irving wear pro-Palestinian outfits to NBA All-Star Game featuring Israeli player

Lee wore a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and flag badges while Irving wore a Wear the Peace "PRESS" shirt, which was "dedicated to our beloved journalists in Gaza, showing the world the truth."

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByPHILISSA CRAMER/JTA
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Spike Lee and John Tesh watch during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.

'I heard great things': LeBron James faces backlash after praising Deni Avdija, Israel

The Los Angeles Lakers forward said he heard "nothing but great things" about Israel while discussing Avdija, the first Israeli to feature in the NBA All-Star Game.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket during the second half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) at Moda Center, Feb 20, 2025.

The backlash to Lebron James' praise of Israel is jarring, but predictable - comment

Lebron James was answering a question about Deni Avdija, the first Israeli to feature in an NBA All-Star Game, when he made positive comments about Israel, prompting the online criticism.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByALEX C. MICHAEL
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball in game four against Team Stars during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.

Israeli basketball star Deni Avdija makes history at the NBA All-Star Game

"It's a dream come true," Avdija said before the tournament, holding his Team World uniform with the Israeli flag and his number 8. 

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Kevin Durant #7 of the Houston Rockets and Team USA Stripes shoots against Deni Avdija #8 of the Toronto Raptors and Team World during the 75th NBA All-Star Game at Intuit Dome on February 15, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Elijah Childs, Hapoel HaEmek ready for bright lights of the State Cup semis - interview

Israel’s State Cup reaches the final four as HaEmek makes a historic debut alongside Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem, and Bnei Herzliya.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ELIJAH CHILDS has been one of the key players as Hapoel HaEmek prepares for its first-ever State Cup semifinal appearance tonight vs Bnei Herzliya at Yad Eliyahu.

Maccabi TA keeps rolling in Euroleague; Hap TA suffers 5th straight loss

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated Bayern Munich 111-106 in overtime over the weekend as the yellow-and-blue couldn’t miss from long distance, hitting 20 three-pointers to help chalk up the home win.

FEBRUARY 15, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV'S Jaylen Hoard throws down a dunk during the yellow-and-blue's 111-106 Euroleague victory over Bayern Munich at Yad Eliyahu.

Finding his stride: Anthony Lamb emerging as key piece in Hapoel Jerusalem’s title hopes

The NBA-experienced forward previously struggled with efficiency, yet recently delivered one of his most complete performances in Hapoel’s 114-104 overtime victory over Cluj.

FEBRUARY 13, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL JERUSALEM’S Anthony Lamb has found his rhythm ahead of the Reds’ postseason push.

Maccabi Tel Aviv to auction NBA All-Star Deni Avdija’s final game-worn jersey

The auction will open Thursday at 5 p.m. Israel time on the club’s official online store, with bidding set to close Sunday at 6 p.m., hours before Avdija's NBA All-Star game.

FEBRUARY 11, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
NBA star and former Maccabi Tel Aviv player Deni Avdija's signed shirt.

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.

FEBRUARY 5, 2026ByJOSHUA 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.