Basketball

Knicks in five! Knicks win NBA win 2026 NBA Championship for first time in over 50 years

Down double digits once again, the Knicks rallied to win their first NBA championship since 1973, ending a 53-year title drought.

|ByRICHARD OFFENBACHER
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) hoists the trophy after defeating the San Antonio Spurs in game five of the 2026 NBA Finals to win the 2026 NBA Championship at Frost Bank Center.
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) shoots against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the fourth quarter during game four of the 2026 NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden.

Knicks upset Spurs in largest comeback in NBA Finals history, Game Four

The Knicks, who trailed by 29 points in the third quarter, lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. They can clinch their first title since 1973 Saturday night, when Game 5 will be played in San Antonio.

|ByFIELD LEVEL MEDIA, REUTERS
HAPOEL TEL AVIV guard Vasilije Micic (right) shoots the game-winning three-pointer in the Reds’ 88-84 semifinal Game 2 victory over host Hapoel Jerusalem

Israeli basketball controversy continues as Hapoel Tel Aviv barely beat Jerusalem in Game 2

"I love this country to death. I grew up in the United States. I choose to be here. I’m a Zionist. I love this country. I love our people, but not everyone feels the same way," said Adelson.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
BASKETBALL OFFICIALS and police confer while deciding to halt Game 1 of the semifinals between Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem as fans (inset) exit Yad Eliyahu. (Yehuda Halickman)

Hapoel Tel Aviv wins first game in basketball series on technicality after Iran missiles

Despite Tel Aviv being awarded the game on the court after the game was abandoned, the Israel Basketball Association will issue a final ruling on the situation at a later time.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

From player to mentor: Cory Carr helps power Maccabi Tel Aviv’s championship culture - interview

Since retiring from the NBA close to 10 years ago, Cory Carr has been plying his trade as a coach with a number of clubs in the Holy Land, but also working with players on an individual basis.

FEBRUARY 27, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
CORY CARR’S behind-the-scenes player development work has played a pivotal role in Maccabi Tel Aviv’s success this season.

Physicists pinpoint mechanism behind familiar basketball shoes squeak

Analysis showed that tiny regions of the rubber momentarily detach and reattach to the surface thousands of times per second

FEBRUARY 26, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
A woman sleeping with her shoes on

Tel Aviv teams keep winning while Jerusalem, Beersheba clubs triumph

Maccabi Tel Aviv cruised past Ironi Ness Ziona 111-80, Hapoel Tel Aviv got by Hapoel Holon 89-83, Hapoel Jerusalem downed Maccabi Ramat Gan 97-87, and Hapoel Beersheba crushed Maccabi Ra’anana.

FEBRUARY 24, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
AFTER A lengthy injury absence, Lonnie Walker found his form right away in his return for Maccabi Tel Aviv, scoring 18 points in the yellow-and-blue 111-80 league win over Ironi Ness Ziona.

Avdija leaves Blazers’ victory over Suns just one minute in with back injury

During Portland’s second offensive possession, Avdija felt discomfort while backing down his defender in the post. Almost immediately, he signaled that something wasn’t right.

FEBRUARY 24, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS Israeli forward Deni Avdija heads to the locker room after suffering an injury against the Phoenix Suns early in the first half on Sunday night.

Maccabi Tel Aviv overwhelms Herzliya for State Cup crown

Maccabi Tel Aviv wins the 47th Israel State Cup with a dominant 109-90 victory over Bnei Herzliya, thanks to key performances from Sorkin, Hoard, and Blatt.

FEBRUARY 22, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Maccabi Tel Aviv players celebrate after beating Bnei Herzliya 109-90 in the State Cup final at Yad Eliyahu.

Gur Lavy seizes his chance, becomes Maccabi Tel Aviv’s latest success story

After last year’s MVP performance, Maccabi Tel Aviv pounced on the Bat Shlomo native and added the young Sabra to its cadre.

FEBRUARY 20, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
IN HIS first year with Maccabi Tel Aviv, 24-year-old Sabra Gur Lavy continues to turn patience into prime-time performances for the yellow-and-blue, especially in recent victories.

Maccabi Tel Aviv rallies, downs Jerusalem in State Cup semis

With a 94-85 win, Maccabi Tel Aviv advanced to the State Cup final, which will take place on Thursday night. The yellow-and-blue will meet the winner of the Bnei Herzliya and Hapoel HaEmek clash.

FEBRUARY 17, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
Maccabi Tel Aviv players celebrating.

Spike Lee, Kyrie Irving wear pro-Palestinian outfits to NBA All-Star Game featuring Israeli player

Lee wore a keffiyeh-patterned sweater and flag badges while Irving wore a Wear the Peace "PRESS" shirt, which was "dedicated to our beloved journalists in Gaza, showing the world the truth."

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByPHILISSA CRAMER/JTA
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Spike Lee and John Tesh watch during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.

'I heard great things': LeBron James faces backlash after praising Deni Avdija, Israel

The Los Angeles Lakers forward said he heard "nothing but great things" about Israel while discussing Avdija, the first Israeli to feature in the NBA All-Star Game.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Portland, Oregon, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket during the second half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija (8) at Moda Center, Feb 20, 2025.

The backlash to Lebron James' praise of Israel is jarring, but predictable - comment

Lebron James was answering a question about Deni Avdija, the first Israeli to feature in an NBA All-Star Game, when he made positive comments about Israel, prompting the online criticism.

FEBRUARY 16, 2026ByALEX C. MICHAEL
Feb 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Team USA Stripes forward LeBron James (23) of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball in game four against Team Stars during the 75th NBA All Star Game at Intuit Dome.