Basketball

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
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.
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
HAPOEL TEL AVIV guard Vasilije Micic sparked a series comeback against Maccabi Rishon Lezion and now will lead the Reds in the semifinals vs Hapoel Jerusalem.

Fans evacuated as Israeli basketball playoff game halted over security concerns

Hapoel Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem’s semifinal opener was halted after three quarters, as fans were evacuated following updated Home Front Command restrictions.

|ByOR SHKEDI

Hapoel Jerusalem advances to State Cup semis as Tel Aviv clubs fall in Europe

Hapoel Jerusalem defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv, advancing to the Israel State Cup semifinals as Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv faced defeat in Euroleague basketball games.

FEBRUARY 2, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
JARED HARPER scored a game-high 24 points to lead Hapoel Jerusalem to a 93-83 State Cup quarterfinal victory over a suddenly slumping Hapoel Tel Aviv.

Israel’s basketball powerhouse: Deni Avdija’s meteoric rise to NBA stardom

Deni Avdija has become the fulcrum of Portland’s offense and one of the most productive two-way forwards in the league.

JANUARY 31, 2026ByASHER SMITH
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS forward Deni Avdija (8) scores a basket during the first half against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.

Hapoel Tel Aviv beats Beersheba in OT, while Jerusalem, Mac TA both take wins home

Hapoel Tel Aviv slipped by Hapoel Beersheba 112-108 in overtime to notch the tight win at Yad Eliyahu and improve its Israeli league record to 14-1 and remain in first place.

JANUARY 27, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
HAPOEL TEL AVIV'S Antonio Blakeney blocks a shot during the Reds' 112-108 overtime victory over Hapoel Beersheba in Israeli league action at Yad Eliyahu.

Everyone loves Rayman after Maccabi Tel Aviv's Euroleague triumph

Above all, the player who contributed to the win over the Greeks was Will Rayman, who perhaps made the most important and critical play, a play that wasn’t even with the ball.

JANUARY 25, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV'S Will Rayman (11) has earned an increasingly important role with the club and he was instrumental in the yellow-and-blue's 75-71 Euroleague victory over Panathinaikos.

Hapoel Tel Aviv earns Euroleague triumph

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

JANUARY 22, 2026ByJOSHUA 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.

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.

JANUARY 19, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija drives past the Sacramento Kings’ Precious Achiuwa during the Blazers’ 117-110 victory over the host Kings.

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.

JANUARY 16, 2026ByJERUSALEM 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.

‘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.

JANUARY 15, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
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.

Iranian filmmaker Javad Ganji killed in Tehran protests, anti-regime data shows

Iranian filmmaker Javad Ganji, 39, was shot during protests in Tehran's Sadeghiyeh area, according to Hengaw and the National Council of Resistance of Iran's data.

JANUARY 14, 2026ByJAMES GENN
Iranian filmmaker Javad Ganji, believed to be killed during a protest in Tehran, in an undated picture.

Maccabi Tel Aviv defeats Hapoel Jerusalem

Hapoel Tel Aviv handles Ramat Gan • Beersheba beats Galil Elyon • Herliya downs Ness Ziona

JANUARY 12, 2026ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV teammates Roman Sorkin (left) and Oshae Brissett celebrate after a basket during their team’s 95-84 win over Hapoel Jerusalem over the weekend.