Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv unveil short-handed rosters for Game 1 of the finals

The Israeli League playoff finals begin Tuesday at 8:50 p.m. at Menora Mivtachim Arena, with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv opening the best-of-series for the championship. Both clubs released their official rosters amid injuries, absences, and personal tragedy, setting up a derby-heavy title fight.

For Maccabi, coach Oded Katash again left out Lonnie Walker, who had previously sat out a playoff game against Hapoel Holon after the Iranian missile attack. Walker said on Instagram, "I chose to miss one game. During the alarms we were in shelters, schools were canceled. I worked hard to come back and play. This is the coaches' decision, not mine. I am ready whenever they need me." He added, "It bothers me that I have to defend myself. I love Maccabi, the fans, everyone. This is the second time I am dealing with missiles, if I were afraid I would be at home." Tamir Blatt remains out with an injury after failing to regain full fitness in time.

Maccabi's available foreign core is Iffe Lundberg, Jalen Hoard, Jimmy Clark, Oshae Brissett and Zach Hankins. The supporting roster includes Amit Abou, Oron Sahar, Roman Sorkin, John DiBartolomeo, Will Rayman and Tamir Gold.

Hapoel's most emotional storyline is Itay Segev, whose father, a constant presence throughout his career, died. The club offered him the choice to sit out, but Segev insisted on playing through the mourning. Dimitris Itoudis also restored Tai Odiase to the roster in place of Keandre Cook. Although Dan Oturu has arrived in Israel, he was not registered for the game, and Antonio Blakeney is unlikely to return to the country. Hapoel will lean on Vasilije Micic, Jonathan Motley, Yam Madar, Tomer Ginat and Bar Timor as it tries to steal home-court advantage.