Maccabi Tel Aviv Suffers Frustrating EuroLeague Loss in Barcelona
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Maccabi Tel Aviv lost a close EuroLeague game to Barcelona 90-87 after a late three-pointer by Justin Robinson. Despite a strong performance from Yam Madar, who scored 22 points, the team struggled with contributions from other key players. Coach Oded Kattash expressed frustration with the loss and officiating, but urged his team to move forward. Maccabi, currently 18th in the standings, faces Valencia next and risks deepening their crisis with another defeat.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Maccabi Tel Aviv lost to Barcelona 90-87 in a EuroLeague game decided by a late three-pointer.
- Yam Madar led Maccabi with 22 points, but key players like Roman Sorkin and Jalen Hurd underperformed.
- Coach Oded Kattash cited missed opportunities and officiating as factors in the frustrating loss.
- Maccabi players felt they were denied a crucial unsportsmanlike foul call on a play involving Tyrese Martin.
- The team faces Valencia next, with another loss potentially worsening their current crisis.
- Maccabi Tel Aviv is currently ranked 18th in the EuroLeague standings.
Maccabi Tel Aviv experienced a significant sense of missed opportunity after losing to Barcelona 90-87 in a EuroLeague game, their fourth loss in five contests. The team was just one stop away from forcing overtime, but a decisive three-pointer by Justin Robinson with 1.6 seconds remaining sealed their fate. The team faces another quick turnaround, playing Valencia on Thursday.
Yam Madar was a standout performer for Maccabi, scoring 22 points, dishing out four assists, and grabbing three rebounds, with a performance index rating of 31. He demonstrated a willingness to take charge when the offense struggled, scoring ten consecutive points at the start of the third quarter and continuing to attack the basket confidently in the final quarter. However, Madar left the game with back pain 19.2 seconds before the end after taking a hit, returning only for the final play.
Beyond Madar's efforts, Maccabi received insufficient contributions from several key players. Roman Sorkin managed only two points and three rebounds, while Jalen Hurd, after struggling to score early, finished with four points, two rebounds, and three turnovers, failing to be a significant offensive factor. Jimmer Clark provided nine points and two assists but fouled out before the decisive moments, and Keton Wallace added just five points. The team needed more players to carry the offensive load in a game where an away win was within reach.
Coach Oded Kattash expressed frustration with the loss, citing small details that decided the game, including offensive rebounds and foul usage. He also voiced dissatisfaction with the officiating, noting that he received a technical foul. Kattash specifically pointed to a play where Tyrese Martin appeared to kick Madar, a call Maccabi felt should have been an unsportsmanlike foul, especially after reviewing the play from a single angle. Despite the disappointment, Kattash urged his players to lift their heads, learn from the experience, and prepare for future games, emphasizing the need for healthy players and potentially a larger rotation.
Maccabi Tel Aviv will travel to Valencia by train for their next game. Currently ranked 18th, another loss could deepen their crisis and make it harder to escape their current slump.
Mentioned
The same event, reported separately by each outlet. Open a few to compare what different newsrooms emphasize — and what they leave out.
Centre 2
Not the same event — other stories that share this one’s people, places, or theme: background, reactions, and follow-ups.
