Maccabi Tel Aviv Suffers Preseason Loss to Bnei Herzliya

Maccabi Tel Aviv squandered a 17-point lead in a preseason exhibition game against Bnei Herzliya, ultimately falling 86-84. The game, which marked the start of preparation for the 2026-2027 basketball season, saw Herzliya mount a significant comeback, culminating in a game-winning basket by DJ Bruton with just two seconds remaining.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, the reigning national champions, appeared to be in control for much of the game. Guard Keeton Wallace was a standout performer, scoring 10 points in the first quarter and helping his team establish an early double-digit advantage. By halftime, Maccabi had extended their lead to a game-high 17 points, with contributions from Wallace, Bonzie Colson, and others.

However, Bnei Herzliya, coached by Yehou Orland, fought back in the second half. Players like Dast Henna, DJ Bruton, Zach Bryant, and Nathan Knight were instrumental in closing the gap. The momentum shifted, and the game became a close contest in the final quarter.

In the closing moments, a turnover by Maccabi's Keeton Wallace gave Herzliya a final opportunity. DJ Bruton capitalized, driving for the winning score. Maccabi's Bonzie Colson had a chance to win the game at the buzzer but missed a three-point attempt.

Top scorers for Maccabi Tel Aviv included Keeton Wallace with 20 points and Bonzie Colson with 15. For Bnei Herzliya, DJ Bruton led with 16 points, supported by strong performances from Nathan Knight (12 rebounds), Dast Henna, and Zach Bryant, who each scored 13.