Maccabi Tel Aviv Secures Dramatic Victory Over Valencia

Maccabi Tel Aviv concluded their double Spanish week with a significant 91-88 victory over Valencia on Thursday, marking their second consecutive game to end in dramatic fashion. Following a tough loss to Barcelona, the team showed renewed energy, overcoming one of the league's top teams. This win improved Maccabi's record to 4-2, moving them to 15th place in the standings. The team started strong, establishing a double-digit lead that peaked at 12 points, maintaining it through effective offense and improved defense compared to previous games. Despite Valencia's comeback attempts, which saw the lead change hands multiple times, Maccabi maintained composure.

Coach Oded Katash praised the team's "great and very important win" against a "great team in a tough arena," noting the players' focus and belief. He acknowledged Valencia's high-paced game but expressed satisfaction with Maccabi's overall performance and character, despite some moments where the opponent found success. "As a coach you are always worried, but during the game there is not much you can do. I saw the body language of the players, even during their runs, that they believe," Katash stated.

Jimmy Clark was instrumental in the closing moments, scoring 17 points, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, and adding 4 assists. His clutch five points at the end secured the victory. "This was a very important win for us, especially after the tough loss to Barcelona," Clark said, adding that the win was also for club president Shimon Mizrahi's birthday.

The team's offensive performance was strong, with six players scoring in double figures. They shot 14-of-24 from three-point range, dished out 24 assists, and outrebounded Valencia 27-20. Roman Sorkin contributed 16 points, Jaylen Hoard added 12 points and 3 rebounds, and Oshey Brissett scored 14 points with 4 rebounds. Bonzie Colson had 11 points and 5 rebounds, while Yam Madar, playing through tailbone pain, also scored 11 points. Daniel Theis added 2 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds.

Brissett emphasized the importance of the win after the Barcelona loss, stating the team "owed it to ourselves to get this win and play the right way." Katash highlighted the team's execution of the game plan despite limited preparation time for the second game of a double week. The club expressed satisfaction with the improvement seen "from game to game" and hopes the victory will provide confidence for the remainder of the European season.

Separately, the club feels that questionable refereeing decisions impacted the game, marking the second consecutive match where they perceived unfair calls. Maccabi Tel Aviv will next face Real Madrid in Belgrade and will host Hapoel Eilat in the Israeli league.