Maccabi Tel Aviv sweeps Hapoel Holon to reach the playoff final

Maccabi Tel Aviv closed out its semifinal playoff series with a dominant 89-61 win over Hapoel Holon on Sunday, completing a 3-0 sweep and advancing to the final. The margin was close to 30 points, and the team’s leading scorers were Jaylen Hoard, Jimmy Clark, Roman Sorkin and Tamir Jenkins.

Clark was named the game’s outstanding player after returning to the floor following a six-game absence. He scored 14 points, finished second on the team in scoring behind Hoard, and added eight assists. After the game, Clark said, “I am very happy and it is a very good season for us and the fans, and we played according to the plan and are ready for moments like this as we should be. We will overcome the injuries and we are ready for the Tel Aviv derby and to give our fans a great show. An championship for Maccabi would be everything for me and especially for our fans.”

Maccabi coach Oded Kattash said no game is easy, praised Holon for a worthy semifinal series, and noted that this season has not been simple because of injuries and the security situation. He added that the final will also be difficult because, in his words, “Hapoel Tel Aviv know how to play good basketball.”

The final series begins next week and will be a Tel Aviv derby against Hapoel Tel Aviv, who reached the championship round after a road win and a technical win over Hapoel Jerusalem. It will be a best-of-five series if needed, with Game 1 set for Menora Mivtachim Arena on Tuesday, June 18, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. Maccabi still has injury concerns, with Tamir Blatt sidelined, Gur Lavy and T.J. Leaf not yet fit for the roster, and Loni Walker’s availability uncertain.