Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem Tied After First Quarter in Winner Cup Semifinal

Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem are tied 16-15 at the end of the first quarter of their Winner Cup semifinal game, played in Holon on Sunday. Hapoel Tel Aviv has already secured a spot in the final, scheduled for November, after defeating Ironi Ness Ziona 79-76 in the other semifinal. Last season, Jerusalem defeated Maccabi in the same stage en route to winning the title.

Maccabi Tel Aviv entered the game following a poor start to their EuroLeague season, with their Super Cup final victory over Hapoel Tel Aviv nearly forgotten. Coach Oded Kattash and his players are seeking an impressive win to boost morale and confidence, hoping to overcome offensive struggles seen in European play. Maccabi is still missing captain John DiBartolomeo, Bonzie Colson, Daniel Theis, and Armando Bacot from their roster. On the other side, Sasa Obradovic's team began their European season with a significant win over Germany's Rostock, showcasing convincing basketball, and aims to maintain this momentum heading into a long season of domestic and European games. Lorenzo Brown completed a week of practice but sustained a facial injury over the weekend and was not included in the squad, along with Dusan Miltic.

The game's start was delayed by two minutes due to flares lit by Jerusalem fans in the stands. Maccabi opened with Yam Madar, Iffe Lundberg, Will Rayman, Jaylen Hoard, and Roman Sorkin. Jerusalem's lineup included Jaylen Smith, Eitan Burg, David Roddy, Gabi Chachashvili, and Kenny Lofton Jr. Hoard scored Maccabi's first five points, and Madar hit a three-pointer to make it 10-6. Roddy stood out for Jerusalem, while Shay Miltin added a three-pointer for Maccabi. After several missed shots and turnovers from both teams, Devonte' Cacok scored with a foul, Miltin added more points, and Oshea Brissett hit a buzzer-beater with the backboard, giving the Reds a 16-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.