Basketball

Blazers ride Avdija's late heroics to play-in victory over Suns

Avdija's ability to control the game stood out as much as the scoring. Avdija shot 15-of-22 from the field, added 12 assists, and dictated the tempo throughout his 38 minutes on the court.

|ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS Israeli forward Deni Avdija drives on Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie for two of his game-high 41 points in the Blazers’ 114-110 victory
Harrison Hochberg, the first Jewish member of the University of Michigan basketball team to win a National Championship.

On the record and off the court: Meet the only Jewish player on the NCAA championship team

As one of a small number of Jewish men’s basketball players in the Big Ten Conference, Hochberg reflects on the championship run, celebrating Passover during the Final Four, and antisemitism.

|ByADAM FINKEL/JTA
MACCABI TEL AVIV guard Lonnie Walker found his form to score a game-high 25 points in the yellow-and-blue’s 103-89 Euroleague win over Anadolu EFES.

Hapoel Tel Aviv, Maccabi Tel Aviv make crucial Euroleague wins ahead of derby

Hapoel up to 4th place in Euroleague with win over Panathinaikos • Maccabi continues late-season push for Play-In.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
CLAUDIO COLDEBELLA reflects on Maccabi Tel Aviv’s turbulent season as the club battles adversity on and off the court in its push toward the Euroleague playoffs.

Between war and wins: Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Euroleague playoff push fueled by resilience - interview

Recently, Maccabi General Manager Claudio Coldebella spoke with Giuseppe Nigro of La Gazzetta dello Sport in Italy, sharing some of the successes he has experienced this season.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

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.

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