Maccabi Tel Aviv Suffers First League Loss to Rishon LeZion in Overtime Thriller

Maccabi Tel Aviv experienced their first defeat in the Israeli Basketball Premier League on Saturday, losing a dramatic overtime game 93-90 to Maccabi Rishon LeZion. This marks the second consecutive loss for Oded Katash's team, following a EuroLeague game against Real Madrid.

Coach Katash acknowledged the team's struggles, particularly their poor three-point shooting in the first half, where they made only 2 out of 18 attempts. He noted Rishon LeZion's aggressive play and high tempo, which contributed to Maccabi Tel Aviv falling behind by as much as 20 points. Despite a comeback, including missing five open three-pointers in overtime, Katash emphasized the mental aspect of the game, stating the need to maintain a positive spirit despite the demanding schedule and player frustration.

"We have to keep this spirit, otherwise we won't succeed," Katash stated, highlighting the importance of mental resilience. He also mentioned the team's upcoming "decisive double week."

On the winning side, Maccabi Rishon LeZion coach Guy Kaplan praised his team's intensity and the home crowd's support. He described the win as a response after a tough loss earlier in the week, emphasizing that while basketball is secondary to effort, their strong performance and belief led to the victory. Kaplan also commended team star Quaylon Grant, calling him their "engine" and expressing relief that some pressure was released for him after a challenging period.

Grant echoed the sentiment, calling the win a validation of the team's potential and expressing excitement. He stated the goal is to build momentum, thanking the fans for their push. Kaplan added that the team is working to overcome a slow start to the season and is celebrating the current win while focusing on the next game.