Hapoel Tel Aviv led most of the way and defeated Maccabi 78-72 in Game 3 of the Israeli Basketball League final, keeping the series alive and trying to force a fourth game. The match was played on June 21, 2026, and the atmosphere from the start suggested a fierce battle, with Hapoel playing with its back against the wall while Maccabi aimed to finish a sweep.
Hapoel opened strongly on defense and leaned heavily on Keandre Cook, who played in place of Chris Jones. On offense, Vasilije Micic was dominant from start to finish. The Serbian guard produced one of his best performances in a Hapoel Tel Aviv uniform and repeatedly answered every Maccabi push, preventing the hosts from taking control when they drew close to a turnaround.
Jimmy Clark, who recently returned from a long injury layoff, sparked Maccabi's comeback and helped them briefly swing the game in their favor. But Micic answered with big baskets at key moments, restoring Hapoel's momentum and underscoring his star role for the red team. The game ended with Hapoel still alive in the series, while Maccabi missed its chance to clinch the championship.
