Maccabi Tel Aviv opened its Israeli Basketball Premier League season with a commanding 120-93 victory over Hapoel Galil Elyon on Friday, establishing a dominant 41-10 lead by the end of the first quarter and maintaining control throughout the game. The win was witnessed by Euroleague officials, including CEO Chus Bueno and Chief Basketball Operations Officer Diego Guillen, who were in attendance to observe the home team's impressive play.
Maccabi showcased balanced scoring, with 10 players contributing at least eight points. Jimmy Clark led the team with 16 points, while TJ Leaf added 15, and both Will Rayman and Keaton Wallace scored 14 each. Yam Madar made an immediate impact early in the game. For Hapoel Galil Elyon, Maurice Kemp stood out with 27 points despite the team’s overall struggle.
Coach Oded Katash expressed satisfaction with both the team’s performance and the energetic atmosphere at home. He noted the strong defensive effort that set the tone early and highlighted the coach’s strategy of managing playing time, particularly for Madar and Jaylen Hoard, ahead of a challenging upcoming schedule.
In another notable matchup, Hapoel Jerusalem defeated Hapoel Holon 92-69 at Toto Hall. The game remained close during the first half, with Jerusalem leading 43-37 at halftime, but the hosts pulled away in the second half. Kenny Lofton Jr. and Jalen Smith each scored 15 points for Jerusalem, while Nimrod Levi and Eitan Burg contributed 12 apiece. Adama Sanogo led Holon with 20 points before being ejected late in the game. Shahar Amir and Rivaldo Soares added 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Jerusalem coach Sasa Obradovic praised his team's improved defense and the significant contribution of Israeli players, who combined for 39 points. He acknowledged the competitiveness of the league and noted that despite losing both encounters against Holon last season, his team managed a convincing win this time.
Ironi Kiryat Ata held on to an 86-85 home victory against Hapoel HaEmek in a closely contested game. After trailing at the end of the first quarter, Kiryat Ata, led by captain Tomer Asayag’s career-high 26 points, built a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter. HaEmek responded with a late rally spearheaded by Karel Guzman, who finished with 22 points, but a last-second three-pointer attempt missed, securing the win for Kiryat Ata. David Green added 18 points for the hosts, while Malik Hall led HaEmek with 15.
Coach Eldad Bentov of Kiryat Ata praised his squad’s resilience, especially given some players were making their Premier League debuts. In contrast, HaEmek coach Sharon Avrahami expressed disappointment over the team’s inability to sustain their early momentum and adhere to their game plan.
Hapoel Tel Aviv also opened its campaign with a 95-82 road victory against Hapoel Beersheba. Hapoel maintained a slight edge after the first quarter and gradually extended the lead before weathering a late surge from the hosts. Dan Oturu led the visitors with 21 points, supported by Eugene German’s 20 and Tai Odiase’s 12. Christian Coleman was a standout for Beersheba, posting 24 points and 16 rebounds.
Hapoel coach Dimitrios Itoudis underscored the importance of starting the season on a positive note and commended his team’s defensive adjustments and rebounding. German emphasized team cohesion and expressed confidence in his role as a leader in the domestic competition.
Elsewhere, Maccabi Ramat Gan secured an 89-79 win over Beeri Herzliya, with Ahmad Caver scoring 22 points and Lior Carreira adding 19. Herzliya’s DJ Bruton led his team with 16 points. The game was notable for Ramat Gan overcoming a challenging preparation period marked by limited practice time and injuries, according to coach Elad Hasin.
Hapoel Eilat rallied to a 89-80 road victory against Maccabi Rishon LeZion, outscoring the hosts 28-16 in the fourth quarter. Kendale McCullum led Eilat with 18 points, while Maccabi Rishon’s top scorer was Oua with 16.
Maccabi Ashdod produced one of the biggest upsets of the opening round by defeating Ness Ziona 76-62 at home, powered by a 28-12 run in the final quarter. Robert Turner led Ashdod with 23 points. Ness Ziona struggled offensively, with only Paris Lee reaching double figures with 10 points.
The Israeli Basketball Premier League continues its season with multiple teams demonstrating strong starts and setting the stage for a competitive campaign.