Basketball

Israeli star Yam Madar shines as Hapoel Tel Aviv wins in Israeli basketball action

Hapoel Tel Aviv rides Madar’s return • Walker, Maccabi TA cruise • Jerusalem escapes Kiryat Ata

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
LONNIE WALKER continued to have the hot hand for Maccabi Tel Aviv, scoring 24 of his 27 points in the first half of the 104-73 rout of Maccabi Rishon Lezion.
LONNIE WALKER scored a game-high 23 points to lead Maccabi Tel Aviv to a 83-65 upset victory of Zalgiris to improve its Euroleague record to 4-10.

Three-for-three: Maccabi, Hapoel storm to European victories before returning home

“I’m very happy, and getting the team to win is most important. Our record doesn’t show it, but we will climb the ladder. We have so much talent to show,” Walker, the game's MVP, said.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
YAIR KRAVITS (right) and Team Israel were badly outplayed by both and Germany and Croatia in their opening two matches to 2027 World Cup qualifying.

Israel struggles in World Cup qualifiers, faces 'uphill battle' after disastrous opening window

Playing the “home” game in Riga is obviously not ideal for Israel, but the squad has faced this challenge since the outbreak of the war in October 2023.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Brooklyn Nets' Danny Wolf, December 5, 2025.

Avdija shines as Wolf and Saraf lift Nets in breakout night for Israeli NBA talent

Avdija powered Portland to a key win as Wolf and Saraf helped Brooklyn notch back-to-back victories.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF

Israel falls to 0-2 with costly Croatia basketball defeat

Beit Halachmi admits the Israeli national basketball team ‘hardly practiced’ in a frustrating start to World Cup qualifying.

DECEMBER 3, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BAR TIMOR (center) and the Israel national team got off to a terrible start to World Cup qualifying, dropping its record to 0-2 with a 85-71 to Croatia.

Israeli NBA talent takes spotlight despite dual team losses

From Avdija’s triple-double heroics for Portland to the promise of Brooklyn rookies Wolf and Saraf, Israeli players continue to leave an unmistakable imprint on the NBA stage.

DECEMBER 2, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ALTHOUGH BOTH their teams lost, Deni Avdija’s triple-double brilliance for the Portland Trail Blazers and Danny Wolf’s breakout shooting for the Brooklyn Nets highlight a banner weekend for Israeli and Jewish basketball.

Israel loses to Germany 89-69 in World Cup qualifier debut

Germany tightened its defense after a close first quarter, holding Israel to 9 points in the second quarter and pulling away for an 89,69 win in the qualifier.

NOVEMBER 30, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Israel Coach Ariel Beit Halachmi aims to reinvigorate the national team ahead of tonight’s contest vs Croatia.

Israel opens World Cup qualifying campaign with tough tests vs. Germany, Croatia

“We are about to launch the next campaign that is very significant for Israeli basketball and for all of us,” noted Beit Halachmi. “It’s a very big challenge, but also a huge opportunity."

NOVEMBER 27, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MAKING HIS first national team appearance since 2022, Tamir Blatt reenters the fold at a pivotal moment as Israel begins its push toward the 2027 World Cup.

Israel ParaSport Center marks 65 years with new Luski Aquatic Center

Reporter's Notebook: The new Luski Aquatic Center marks the third generation of the Luski family's support for the Israel ParaSport Center, ensuring disabled athletes have facilities to thrive.

NOVEMBER 27, 2025ByMATHILDA HELLER
Israel ParaSport Center marks 65 years with new Luski Aquatic Center

Anti-Israel rioters attack Bologna police with firecrackers, set fires, build barricades

Violent protests against a Maccabi match saw masked rioters clash with police, injuring eight officers using flagpoles, bottles, clubs and flares.

NOVEMBER 22, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Police spray water on protesters during a demonstration against the visiting Israeli basketball team on the day of the Virtus Bologna-Maccabi Tel Aviv Euroleague match in Bologna, Italy, November 21, 2025.

Blakeney lifts Hapoel to 85-80 win over Maccabi in fierce Tel Aviv derby

This was unlike any other derby from the recent past, with Hapoel Tel Aviv entering the contest as the clear favorites over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ANTONIO BLAKENEY hits a three-pointer late in the fourth quarter of Hapoel Tel Aviv’s 85-80 derby victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv at Menora Mivtachim Arena.

Baron, Meyers power Israel to comeback victory over Bosnia

Alyssa Baron leads Israel Women’s Basketball to a 98-91 win over Bosnia in the EuroBasket qualifiers, with Abby Meyers and Daniel Raber contributing big performances.

NOVEMBER 14, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
IN HER first game with the Israel national team, Abby Meyers scored 21 points in a 98-91 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Israeli hoops flying in Europe, except Maccabi: Hapoel Tel Aviv blows out Baskonia in EuroLeague

Hapoel Tel Aviv downed Baskonia 114-89 to move to 8-2 in EuroLeague, led by Elijah Bryant (24 pts). Meanwhile, Maccabi fell to Fenerbahce, dropping its record to 2-8.

NOVEMBER 12, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV’S Vasilije Micic helped lead the Reds to a 25-point victory over Baskonia and keep them atop the Euroleague standings with an 8-2 record

Avdija’s All-Star dream: New format could open door for Israel's rising star

Through 10 games with the Portland Trail Blazers, Avdija has been playing at an All-Star level, averaging 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.9 assists per game on 47% shooting from the field and 37% fr

NOVEMBER 12, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ISRAELI FORWARD Deni Avdija is playing at an All-Star level for the Portland Trail Blazers through 10 games.

Hapoel Jerusalem captures Winner Cup title after tense final vs Hapoel Tel Aviv

The victory marked the seventh time Jerusalem won the Winner Cup, with the most recent coming in 2023.

NOVEMBER 9, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL JERUSALEM players celebrate with the Winner Cup trophy after beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 89-84 in Saturday night’s final at the Pais Arena in the capital.