Maccabi Tel Aviv Leads Hapoel Tel Aviv in First Quarter of Social Super Cup

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv are competing for the first title of the Israeli basketball season, the Social Super Cup, on Thursday evening. Last season, Maccabi lost to Hapoel Jerusalem in this fixture and is aiming to win the trophy for the first time, while Hapoel seeks to make a statement after another season without a championship or cup.

Maccabi Tel Aviv entered the game following a loss in the final of the Nicosia tournament against Olympiacos. Several players were rested during that tournament due to minor injuries. For the derby, Maccabi registered its five fully fit foreign players: Jalen Reynolds, Bonzie Colson, Kitwana Wallace, Jalen Hurd, and Armando Bacot. Will Rayman was registered as a naturalized player, replacing Shawn Jones.

Hapoel Tel Aviv, which had a perfect record in defensive games, returned to Israel with 22 players, needing to leave 10 out. Elijah Bryant was absent due to a stomach ailment. Registered players included Wassim Mical, Antonio Blakeney, Amir Coffey, Zach LeDay, and Dan Orl. Naturalized player Jake Toppin was left out as he has not yet received Israeli citizenship.

In the first quarter, Orl and Mical led Hapoel to a 6-2 advantage. However, three-pointers from London and Mader turned the tide, giving Maccabi an 8-6 lead. The fast pace continued with quick possessions and soft defenses. Sorokin scored an easy layup to make it 12-10 for Maccabi. Timore responded with a three-pointer on the other end, and at this point, defenses finally managed to make some stops.