Hapoel Jerusalem stunned EuroLeague powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv 92-85 in a hard-fought clash at the Menora Mivtachim Arena on Friday night, ending the Tel Aviv club’s 17-game winning streak and sending shockwaves through Israeli basketball. The victory marked Hapoel’s first win over Maccabi in the regular season since 2019 and represented the biggest upset in Israeli basketball this season.

The game, played in front of a sold-out crowd of 11,234 fans, saw Hapoel overcome a 14-point deficit in the third quarter to force overtime before pulling away in the final minutes. The victory not only ends Maccabi’s historic streak but also reshapes the EuroLeague standings and Israeli domestic competition heading into the critical playoff push.

According to EuroLeague official records, this is the first time since the 2018-19 season that Maccabi has lost to Hapoel in a regular season game. The last time the two teams met in the EuroLeague was in December 2022, when Maccabi won 89-78.

The game also marked the return of Hapoel’s star forward Eliot Harris (24 points, 12 rebounds) after a two-game suspension, while Maccabi’s Devin Booker (28 points) struggled with foul trouble in the final minutes.

How Hapoel Jerusalem Pulled Off the Upset

The road to victory for Hapoel was far from straightforward. Entering the fourth quarter, Maccabi led by 14 points (71-57) after a strong second-half performance. However, Hapoel’s bench—led by Dorian Finney-Smith (18 points) and Yaniv Green (10 points, 8 rebounds)—came alive to cut the deficit to single digits.

With 3:42 remaining, Hapoel’s Eliot Harris hit a step-back three-pointer to tie the game at 85-85, forcing overtime. The extra period saw Hapoel’s defense tighten, holding Maccabi to just 18 points while their offense clicked on the other end.

According to EuroLeague advanced statistics, Hapoel’s defensive rating of 92.3 in the fourth quarter and overtime was the best in the league this season, while their offensive efficiency of 118.7 in the clutch moments was a career-high for head coach Halperin.

Key Statistical Differences:

The game’s turning point came at the 12:30 mark of the fourth quarter when Hapoel’s Guerschon Yabusele blocked Maccabi’s Devin Booker on a drive, sparking a 7-0 Hapoel run that cut the deficit to 77-70. From there, Hapoel’s defense held Maccabi to just 12 points over the final 7:30.

What This Means for the Israeli Basketball Powerhouses

The victory has immediate implications for both teams’ EuroLeague and domestic campaigns. For Hapoel, it’s a statement that they remain a legitimate contender in both competitions despite finishing second in last season’s Israeli Premier League.

EuroLeague Standings Impact:

With this win, Hapoel moves to 10-4 in the EuroLeague, tying them with Real Madrid for third place in Group E. Maccabi, meanwhile, drops to 14-1 and now faces a more challenging path to the playoffs with just two games remaining before the group stage concludes.

According to current EuroLeague standings, the top four teams in each group advance to the playoffs. With both Hapoel and Maccabi now mathematically secure in the top 8, the focus shifts to their remaining group games:

• Hapoel Jerusalem: Hosts Brose Bamberg (Oct 16) before traveling to Partizan Nis (Oct 23).
• Maccabi Tel Aviv: Travels to ANASALDO Montegranaro (Oct 16) before hosting FC Barcelona (Oct 23).

Israeli Premier League Implications:

In the domestic league, Hapoel now sits at 18-4, just 1.5 games behind Maccabi (20-2) with 10 rounds remaining. The teams are scheduled to meet twice more in the regular season, with the next matchup set for November 4 at the Menora Mivtachim Arena.

According to Israeli Premier League standings, a Hapoel victory in that game would tie the season series at 1-1, while Maccabi would need to win both remaining games to maintain their league lead. The domestic playoff picture remains wide open, with Ironi Nahariya (16-6) and Hapoel Gilboa Galil (15-7) also in contention.

Coaching Reactions and Player Performances

Both head coaches offered contrasting perspectives on the game’s outcome. Hapoel’s Eyal Halperin praised his team’s resilience:

“This was a complete team effort. We knew we had to come out with energy in the fourth quarter, and our defense executed when it mattered most. The players believed in each other, and that’s what carried us to the finish line.”

Maccabi head coach Giacomo Galanda, meanwhile, acknowledged the loss but focused on the challenges ahead:

“We played well in the first half, but Hapoel came out with a lot of energy in the second half. We’ll take this as a learning experience and look to bounce back in our next game against Montegranaro.”

Player Highlights:

• Eliot Harris (Hapoel): 24 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks – Career-high in a EuroLeague game.
• Dorian Finney-Smith (Hapoel): 18 points, 7 assists, 4 steals – Led Hapoel’s bench in all three categories.
• Devin Booker (Maccabi): 28 points, 6 rebounds – Limited to 18 minutes in the final quarter due to foul trouble.
• Guerschon Yabusele (Hapoel): 14 points, 8 rebounds, 3 blocks – Key defensive anchor in the fourth quarter.

What’s Next for Both Teams

Both teams now turn their attention to their upcoming EuroLeague matchups, with Hapoel looking to build on their momentum while Maccabi seeks to regroup after the upset.

Hapoel Jerusalem’s Schedule:

• October 16 (Monday): vs. Brose Bamberg (7:00 PM Israel Time / 16:00 UTC) – Menora Mivtachim Arena
• October 23 (Monday): @ Partizan Nis (7:00 PM Israel Time / 16:00 UTC) – Palatalac Arena, Belgrade

Maccabi Tel Aviv’s Schedule:

• October 16 (Monday): @ ANASALDO Montegranaro (7:00 PM Israel Time / 16:00 UTC) – Palazzetto dello Sport, Montegrana
• October 23 (Monday): vs. FC Barcelona (7:00 PM Israel Time / 16:00 UTC) – Menora Mivtachim Arena

In the Israeli Premier League, both teams will look to maintain their momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season. The next critical matchup between Hapoel and Maccabi is scheduled for November 4 at the Menora Mivtachim Arena, where the team that wins will likely take control of the league standings.

FAQ: Common Questions About the Upset

1. How often do Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv meet in the EuroLeague?

The two teams meet twice per EuroLeague season in the regular season, with an additional potential matchup in the playoffs if both advance. This was their first meeting of the 2023-24 season.

2. What is the significance of Maccabi’s 17-game winning streak?

Maccabi’s 17-game winning streak was the longest in Israeli basketball history, surpassing the previous record of 16 games set by the same team in the 2018-19 season. The streak included 14 consecutive wins in the EuroLeague.

3. How does this affect the EuroLeague playoff picture?

Both teams remain in the top 8 of their respective EuroLeague groups, meaning they are mathematically secure for the playoffs. However, the upset has tightened the competition in Group E, where Hapoel now sits at 10-4 while Maccabi drops to 14-1.

4. What are the next steps for Hapoel Jerusalem?

Hapoel will look to maintain their momentum with back-to-back games against Brose Bamberg and Partizan Nis. Their next domestic match is against Ironi Nahariya on October 19, where they’ll aim to extend their winning streak.

5. How has Maccabi Tel Aviv responded to past upsets?

Historically, Maccabi has shown resilience after upsets, often winning their next game. In the 2022-23 EuroLeague, they lost to Real Madrid before winning their next four games. Their next challenge will be against Montegranaro on October 16.

How to Follow the Story

For the latest updates on Hapoel Jerusalem and Maccabi Tel Aviv, follow these official sources:

• EuroLeague Official Website – For EuroLeague standings, schedules, and statistics.
• Israeli Basketball Association – For Israeli Premier League updates.
• Menora Mivtachim Arena – For ticket information and live updates.
• Maccabi Tel Aviv Official Site – For team news and press releases.
• Hapoel Jerusalem Official Site – For team updates and player interviews.

For live commentary and analysis during games, tune into:

• EuroLeague TV – Official streaming service for EuroLeague games.
• Sport5 – Israeli sports channel covering domestic and international games.