Full Breakdown
Maccabi Tel Aviv Advances to Israel State Cup Final
2/18/2026, 5:20:35 AM
Semifinal Match Overview
Maccabi Tel Aviv secured a spot in the Israel State Cup final by defeating Hapoel Jerusalem 94-85 in a thrilling semifinal match held at Yad Eliyahu on Sunday night. The victory was marked by a strong fourth-quarter performance, allowing Maccabi to overcome a deficit and advance to the final, which is scheduled for Thursday night against the winner of the Bnei Herzliya and Hapoel HaEmek match.
Game Highlights and Key Performers
Throughout the game, Hapoel Jerusalem initially maintained control, with standout performances from Austin Wiley and Khadeen Carrington. However, Maccabi Tel Aviv's Jeff Dowtin and Roman Sorkin played crucial roles in keeping their team competitive. In the second half, Hapoel built a near double-digit lead, but Maccabi's Jimmy Clark, Jaylen Hoard, and Gur Lavy rallied to secure the win. Sorkin led Maccabi with 20 points, while Dowtin contributed 19 points and Clark added 16 points. For Hapoel, Carrington was the top scorer with 22 points, followed by Wiley with 17 points and Jared Harper with 13 points.
Official Statements & Responses
Maccabi Tel Aviv's head coach, Oded Katash, expressed pride in his team's ability to navigate challenges during the game, highlighting their resilience despite injuries. He noted, “There are no favorites, and we didn’t come into this game in the best shape.” Conversely, Hapoel Jerusalem's coach, Yonatan Alon, reflected on the turning point in the game, stating, “I felt that Maccabi were starting to hit their shots in the fourth quarter.” Isaiah Mobley from Hapoel emphasized the need for improvement, stating, “They outhustled us and had extra possessions on the rebounds down the stretch.”
Background on the State Cup
The Israel State Cup semifinals featured four teams: Maccabi Tel Aviv, Hapoel Jerusalem, Bnei Herzliya, and Hapoel HaEmek. This year's tournament has been notable for Hapoel HaEmek, which reached the semifinals for the first time in its history. The team, under coach Sharon Avrahami, advanced by defeating Hapoel Holon, showcasing the potential for an upset in the tournament.
Criticism & Opposition
Despite Maccabi's victory, Hapoel Jerusalem's players and coaching staff expressed disappointment over their performance, particularly in the fourth quarter. Alon noted that Maccabi's ability to capitalize on rebounds and scoring opportunities was pivotal in their defeat. Mobley emphasized the need for better execution in future games, indicating that the team must learn from this experience to improve.
What's Next
Maccabi Tel Aviv will face the winner of the Bnei Herzliya and Hapoel HaEmek match in the final of the Israel State Cup. The outcome of this final will be crucial for both teams, as they aim to secure the prestigious trophy and enhance their standings in Israeli basketball.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m very happy and proud of how we were able to handle some of the issues we had during the game.” — Oded Katash, Head Coach, Maccabi Tel Aviv
- “I felt that Maccabi were starting to hit their shots in the fourth quarter, scored cheap points, and grabbed rebounds as well as hustled.” — Yonatan Alon, Head Coach, Hapoel Jerusalem
