Maccabi Tel Aviv led Hapoel Tel Aviv 66-50 after three quarters of the championship game, as the matchup at Menora Mivtachim Arena turned in the yellow-clad team’s favor. The piece was published on June 16, 2026, at 22:06.
The article says many had viewed Maccabi as the underdog entering the final, but in a game with a title at stake it looked like a different team. Hapoel came in with strong momentum, boosted by excellent form from Vasilije Micic and Yam Madar, but they failed to show it in the first half.
Jalen Hord, who had been outstanding in the series against Hapoel Holon, continued that form with points from all kinds of finishes. Roman Sorkin also stood out in the paint, while Hord and his teammates helped generate a huge edge on the offensive glass.
Maccabi finished the first half with 10 offensive rebounds, and Hapoel committed 10 turnovers, half of them by the Serbian guard. Chris Jones kept the red team close, but Maccabi’s energy and control around the basket set the tone as the final continued.