Basketball

Hapoel Tel Aviv earns Euroleague triumph

First-place Reds improve to 16-6 • Maccabi Tel Aviv defeated in Greece • Jerusalem, Holon also lose

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV guard Chris Jones celebrates after scoring two of his team-high 16 points in the Reds’ 71-66 Euroleague victory over Anadolu Efes in Bulgaria.
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija drives past the Sacramento Kings’ Precious Achiuwa during the Blazers’ 117-110 victory over the host Kings.

Avdija nets 30 in winning return for Blazers

Deni Avdija returned from injury with a dominant 30-point performance, leading Portland to a 117-110 win over Sacramento, as the Blazers extended their win streak to three.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
IN HIS sixth NBA season, Israeli forward has taken a big leap with the Portland Trail Blazers and is favored to make his first All-Star Game.

Deni Avdija nears Portland Trailblazers NBA return following injury

Portland forward Deni Avdija is close to returning after missing one game with lower-back soreness, as his strong season keeps him in the All-Star conversation.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ZALGIRIS GUARD Maodo Lo (in red), a veteran of top European clubs and a regular member of the German national team, brings extensive international experience into tonight’s Euroeague matchup against host Maccabi Tel Aviv.

‘It’s a marathon, not a sprint’: Zalgiris, Lo eye big night vs Maccabi Tel Aviv

The Lithuanian squad was in Israel just a couple of weeks ago, and came away with a win over Hapoel Tel Aviv. It would like to replicate that success after splitting its last two Euroleague games.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

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.

Avdija, Blazers rally from 22 down to hand reigning NBA champs Thunder first loss of season

Israeli forward Deni Avdija delivers a near triple-double in a dramatic comeback win, as talk grows about his next big NBA contract.

NOVEMBER 7, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
DENI AVDIJA powered Portland past OKC, handing the reigning NBA champion its first loss of the season, November 5, 2025.

From LeBron to Holon: Jordan McRae’s Israeli homecoming and his Purple pride - interview

Jordan McRae, a former NBA basketball player, discusses his prolific career and return to the Israeli league with The Jerusalem Post.

NOVEMBER 6, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
FORMER NBA champion Jordan McRae has embraced Hapoel Holon’s spirit in his return to the Holy Land, hoping to lead the Purples back to prominence.

Hapoel Jerusalem pulls out thriller against Maccabi Rishon Lezion

In the extra session, it was all Jerusalem as Smith put in a pair of baskets while Harper hit his shots from the line to seal the win.

NOVEMBER 3, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL JERUSALEM forward goes up to the hoops against Maccabi Rishon Lezion defender Amin Stevens (3) during the capital city Reds’ 100-93 overtime victory.

New York basketball team threatens legal action against mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani

The New York Knicks issued a cease-and-desist letter to Mamdani after the politician used a modified version of the Knicks logo in campaign advertisements.

OCTOBER 25, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani walks with supporters to 30 Rockefeller Plaza for the first mayoral debate in New York City, US, October 16, 2025

Maccabi Tel Aviv clips Real Madrid, Holon wins in France

Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Real Madrid 92-91 in the Euroleague, with Tamir Blatt hitting the game-winning 3-pointer and Lonnie Walker scoring 27 points for their second win of the season.

OCTOBER 23, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Maccabi Tel Aviv's Tamir Blatt vs Real Madrid

Israeli basketball stars shine on NBA opening night: Avdija leads Portland, Saraf starts

Israeli basketball talent shone on NBA opening night as Deni Avdija led Portland and Ben Saraf debuted as Brooklyn’s youngest starter, marking a historic moment for Israeli hoops.

OCTOBER 23, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) brings the ball up the court against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half at Moda Center, October 22, 2025.

European basketball set to return to Israel in December

Two years after being forced to relocate games abroad, Israeli clubs will be able to host at home following the ceasefire and new security guarantees.

OCTOBER 21, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
BOTH TEL AVIV basketball teams – Maccabi Tel Aviv (in yellow) and Hapoel Tel Aviv (in red) – will be able to host Euroleague games in Israel starting in December following Tuesday's decision in the aftermath of the ceasefire.

Vasilije Micic reminds Europe who he is, leads Hapoel Tel Aviv past Valencia

Micic wasn’t about to let anyone think that at age 31 he was done. After a mystical third frame, he was anything but finished.

OCTOBER 16, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
VASILIJE MICIC had a dominant Euroleague performance for Hapoel Tel Aviv at Valencia, leading the Reds to victory with a vintage display of skill and leadership