Jerusalem Tops Tel Aviv in Basketball Clash, Extends Perfect League Start

Playing at home, Hapoel Tel Aviv rested several key players, including Vasilije Micic, Antonio Blakeney, Amir Coffey, and Tomas Satoransky, ahead of upcoming EuroLeague games. Jerusalem took advantage of the depleted roster, establishing an early lead behind strong defensive play and dominant rebounding, where they out-boarded Tel Aviv 45-25. Although Tel Aviv mounted an 18-3 run in the second half to briefly take the lead, Jerusalem responded with a decisive 16-3 run to secure the road victory.

Shake Milton led Jerusalem's offense with 16 points, supported by Kenny Lofton Jr. and Jaylen Smith with 13 points each. Elijah Bryant was the top scorer for Tel Aviv with 17 points, while Tomer Ginat added 12 points and 9 rebounds. Following the loss, Tel Aviv coach Dimitris Itoudis sharply criticized the league's new foreign player registration rules, which reduced the limit from 10 to 8 registered foreign players, claiming the change was designed to harm his team.