Loni Walker Explains Absence From Maccabi Roster

Maccabi Tel Aviv left Loni Walker out of its roster for Game 1 of the playoff final against Hapoel Tel Aviv, and the guard responded on Instagram to clarify the situation. Walker said his earlier decision not to play in Maccabi’s first game against Hapoel Holon was his own choice, made after the Iranian attack and the air raid alerts that forced people into shelters and led to school and workplace closures.

“Before everyone starts sending threats and all that weird stuff, I chose to sit out one game,” Walker wrote. He added that he had worked hard hoping to return to action, but said, “These are all the coach’s decisions, not mine.” Walker closed by saying, “Now let’s get it. I’m ready when needed.”

The article notes that Walker was included in the roster for the first game against Holon, but he chose not to come to the arena or play because he felt unready after the 24 difficult hours he had experienced because of the Iranian strike the night before and into the morning of the game.