Hapoel Tel Aviv claimed a crucial 76–68 victory over Hapoel HaEmek in Israel Basketball Premier League play Monday night, powered by a confident return from Israeli star Yam Madar, whose first game since EuroBasket quickly turned into an MVP-worthy performance.
Madar Leads the Reds With Commanding Comeback
Madar shook off game rust within minutes and settled into a rhythm that carried Tel Aviv through tense stretches. His presence changed the game’s tempo immediately, calming possessions, feeding teammates, and eventually hitting key shots to pull away late.
Madar finished with 14 points, a valuable scoring lift for a roster still adjusting to recent injuries and roster rotations.
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The home crowd felt the energy shift the moment he stepped onto the floor.
He wasn’t alone. Tel Aviv’s Malcolm scored 13 points, while Blakeney added 12, giving the Reds a balanced attack that helped them respond whenever HaEmek surged. HaEmek’s Edwards led all scorers with 17 points, Shedrick scored 11, and Goldenberg added 10 in the loss.
Fans viewed Madar’s return as more than a statistical boost — it was a psychological lift for a team still integrating new lineups ahead of Euroleague’s resumption in Israel.
Coaches React to Tight, Physical Contest
Hapoel Tel Aviv coach Dimitrios Itoudis praised his team for grinding out a win under short preparation. “We had half a day-and-a-half to practice and prepare for this game,” Itoudis said. “They came in with a number of wins in a row and they had a week to prepare for the game.”
He admitted the execution wasn’t perfect. “We missed a number of free throws and our shots as well, but we showed compassion and defensively we were focused to make stops.”
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Stops at the end mattered more than style.
HaEmek coach Sharon Avrahami felt his squad let a winnable game slip away. “We were there near the end of the game only a few points away but we just couldn’t find a way to score down the stretch,” Avrahami said.
He added that his players competed hard without two key Israeli contributors. “I’m proud that we did a very good job and we battled. We will continue to work hard and do our talking on the court and not off of it.”
Walker Ignites Maccabi Tel Aviv in Dominant Rout
Elsewhere, Maccabi Tel Aviv crushed Maccabi Rishon Lezion 104–73, a result never in doubt after Lonnie Walker exploded for 24 first-half points on a blistering sequence that included half-a-dozen three-pointers.
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Walker ended with 27 points and looked unstoppable before halftime.
The yellow-and-blue used Walker’s early eruption to seize control, open spacing, and turn the remainder of the game into a decisive warm-up before Euroleague basketball officially returns to Israel later this week.
Coach staff indicated that the early burst made second-half rotations easier, reducing injury risk and allowing key players to conserve energy.
Euroleague Action Finally Returns to Israel
Thursday will see ASVEL Villeurbanne visit Yad Eliyahu, marking the first Euroleague game played in Israel since Partizan Belgrade competed in Tel Aviv on October 5, 2023, just two days before the Hamas war erupted.
Fans have waited more than a year for top-level continental basketball to return to home courts. Israeli clubs struggled with schedule relocations, travel uncertainty, safety concerns, and nearly constant logistical adjustments.
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Basketball supporters say this feels like normal life again.
Teams are preparing for tight turnaround windows, emotional atmospheres, and competitive intensity that returns after a long absence. Players from both Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv view this week as symbolic — a reminder that the domestic league and European competition are reconnecting after long disruption.
Why Madar’s Presence Matters Beyond One Game
A small table helps illustrate Madar’s immediate value:
| Contribution | Impact |
|---|---|
| Ball control | Reduced turnovers and steadied pace |
| Shot-making | Key possessions late in the fourth quarter |
| Defensive reads | Disrupted HaEmek spacing |
| Locker-room energy | Confidence boost after long absence |
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Teams play differently when a trusted floor leader returns.
Madar didn’t simply score — he anchored the game emotionally. His return settled teammates, provided structure during mismatches, and helped Hapoel Tel Aviv survive stretches where HaEmek applied heavy defensive pressure.
The Reds now expect to integrate him more fully before Euroleague testing arrives, with minutes likely to increase hesitantly until conditioning reaches comfort level.
Momentum Builds Across Israeli Basketball
For a league that has seen lineup interruptions, international relocations, and fluctuating rosters, Madar’s reentry is timely. Israeli teams want stability right now — stability in personnel, stability in scheduling, stability in emotional rhythm.
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Star players returning helps the entire league breathe easier.
Maccabi Tel Aviv’s blowout also helps reset expectations heading into a busy month. Walker’s form, combined with a deep bench, gives Maccabi a powerful offensive identity before Euroleague tests resume.
HaEmek’s loss doesn’t diminish its trajectory. Without two important Israeli players, the game remained competitive until late in the fourth quarter. Avrahami’s group continues to punch above predicted weight, showing defensive toughness and late-game effort.
The Coming Week Will Define the Month
The Israeli league is now looking at two parallel fronts:
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Domestic battles for early standings stability
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Euroleague reintegration with home-court emotional pressure
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Players are adjusting from slow, controlled domestic games into high-intensity continental play.
Hapoel Tel Aviv and Maccabi Tel Aviv both want momentum heading into Thursday and beyond. Hapoel needs Madar’s patience and multi-angle decision making; Maccabi wants Walker’s shot volume and wider rotation coverage.
Fans will pay attention to how returning players — both domestic and foreign — handle the emotional surge when packed gyms roar again.
For now, Madar’s comeback win offers a powerful sign: Israeli basketball is entering a deeper competitive rhythm, both at home and on the European stage.
