Walker available for final as Maccabi Tel Aviv sets sights on the title

Maccabi Tel Aviv reached the Israeli Basketball Premier League final on Friday night with a convincing 89-61 win over Hapoel Holon, completing a 3-0 sweep in the semifinal series. The team will open the championship series against Hapoel Tel Aviv on Tuesday at Menora Mivtachim Arena, in a derby that will also carry city bragging rights.

Coach Oded Katash said the club had achieved one of its season goals by reaching the final, but stressed that the main target remains the championship. “We managed to make adjustments and improve during the series,” he said, adding that the team had coped with injuries and other challenges throughout the season. Maccabi said it had responded better after the first two games and executed its game plan more precisely in the series clincher.

Maccabi controlled the game from the opening minutes, built a lead of more than 30 points at its peak, and used strong defense and rebounding to dominate. Katash said the team’s size and rebounding edge had been decisive, noting that Maccabi out-rebounded opponents by 10 to 15 boards in each game, which he described as a key factor in winning games and titles.

Jalen Hood-Schifino led Maccabi with 18 points and 7 rebounds, Zach Hankins added 14 points and 6 rebounds, and Roman Sorkin scored 13. Jimmy Clark returned after missing six games, replacing Lonnie Walker, and finished with 14 points and 8 assists in 22 minutes. Tamir Blatt, diagnosed two days earlier with a small calf tear, is not expected back until the season finale.

Katash said Walker is fit and available, but any decision on his role will depend on roster needs and the health of the other foreign players. Walker told teammates he is “ready and wants to play,” and said he hopes to remain with the club next season. Ahead of the final, Katash said Maccabi must play “much better over 40 minutes” against Hapoel Tel Aviv’s strong backcourt, frontcourt and Israeli players.