Kats Explains Why Walker Was Left Out Against Holon

Kats explained why Walker was left out of the Haifa roster? Maccabi Tel Aviv coach: "This is not a punishment. He was not with us for two days" Sport 5 Published: 10.06.26, 20:41

Hapoel Holon will host Maccabi Tel Aviv tonight (20:50) in the second game of the playoff semifinal series, with Maccabi leading 1-0 after its win in the opener at Menora Hall, which was empty of fans. Holon hope to get back into the series and break a long streak of more than four decades without a home win over the Yellow in the playoffs.

Shortly before the game, coach Oded Kats explained why Lonnie Walker was not registered for Maccabi Tel Aviv: "He was not with us for two days, that was also part of the decision not to register him for the game. These considerations are part of the professional decision. This is not a punishment."

In Predrag Krunic’s team, they admitted after the first game that they had not managed to express themselves. In Holon, they felt the team "was not in the game," and that they "played into the hands of Maccabi, who were better and played playoff basketball."

Tonight, the Purples will hope to show improved performance, especially on the defensive end, and to use home-court advantage and the support from the stands, something they lacked at the start of the series.

As for the Purple roster for the game, Javon McCormick is expected to continue in place of Tray Croft, who is still suffering from abdominal pain. As recalled, on the morning of the first game Croft felt unwell because of a stomach virus and informed the coaching staff, which decided to register McCormick instead. Since then, Croft has continued to feel pain and sensitivity and was referred for tests. As we reported this morning, Holon announced that Tray Croft will continue to be absent because of an abdominal injury. Croft underwent a surgical medical procedure at Shamir Assaf Harofeh Medical Center and is expected to be discharged home later today. The date of his return to action will be determined according to his condition.

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Maccabi Tel Aviv hope to continue the momentum from the first win, this time with a slightly deeper roster. In the previous game, the team played with only three foreign players and a short seven-man rotation, due to injuries and various absences. O'Shea Brissett and Lonnie Walker did not take part in the contest because of the security situation and its effect on their physical and mental state. Jimmy Clark's condition is also still being monitored. The guard, who recently returned from an injury in the hip and groin area, is fully fit again, but the coaching staff would prefer to give him additional rest.

The club were pleased with the offensive performance shown in the first game and hope to replicate it tonight as well. "We want to continue in the same way and at the same pace. We want to focus on controlling the rebound, and not let them go on runs and fast breaks that will lead to a close game." Israeli Basketball Premier League Did you find a language error?