Maccabi Tel Aviv Nears Full Strength Ahead of EuroLeague Season Opener

Maccabi Tel Aviv is continuing its preparations for the upcoming 2026/27 season, with coach Oded Kattash expected to welcome back two injured players soon. The team will play a practice match against Maccabi Rishon LeZion on Tuesday before heading to Cyprus for a preparation tournament over the weekend. Three players have been dealing with injuries. Gor Lavi is still not cleared to play and is unlikely to start the season on the court. Jalen Hudson injured himself at the end of a short training camp in Cyprus, but the team is confident he will be ready for the season opener against ASVEL in France on September 24. T.J. Leaf, who suffered a shoulder injury in February, was initially considered doubtful for the start of the season, with the team expressing pessimism over his availability. However, Leaf is progressing well and is now expected to be fully fit for the ASVEL game, and possibly even before. Jalen Hudson and Daniel Theis might play against Rishon LeZion on Tuesday, while Iffe Lundberg may receive additional rest. The veteran guard played with the Danish national team and trained with them during their preparation for a loss to Romania. Maccabi aims to gradually integrate him to avoid unnecessary strain.