A fast start, a firm response, and a composed finish decided the Israeli Classico on Sunday night. Maccabi Tel Aviv held its nerve after early trouble and closed strong to defeat Hapoel Jerusalem 95–84 in Israel Super League action, leaning on Roman Sorkin’s all-around night and timely baskets down the stretch.
It was noisy. It swung back and forth. And when it mattered, Maccabi had answers.
A red-hot opening gives way to a yellow-and-blue response
Jerusalem burst out of the gate with purpose.
Khadeen Carrington looked automatic early, and the Reds raced to a 16–3 lead that briefly stunned the building. Shots fell from everywhere, and Maccabi’s defensive rotations lagged just a beat behind.
That early punch did not last.
Maccabi steadied itself through Jimmy Clark’s tempo control and Sorkin’s presence inside. The yellow-and-blue chipped away possession by possession, forcing tougher looks and getting to spots they trust.
By halftime, the tone had flipped. Maccabi walked into the break ahead 49–43, a swing that felt heavier than the scoreline suggested.
One stop led to another. You could feel it.
The third quarter push that changed the feel of the game
The game’s hinge came after intermission.
Maccabi came out sharper, faster, and more decisive. Marcio Santos and Sorkin attacked early in the third, converting through contact and stretching the floor just enough to open lanes.
Jerusalem did not fold.
Carrington stayed aggressive, Jared Harper found seams, and Anthony Winston helped trim the deficit to five. Momentum teased a comeback.
Then Maccabi slammed the door.
Sorkin punished switches. Oshae Brissett rose for clean looks. The margin widened again, and the closing minutes belonged to the hosts.
Numbers that tell the story, without shouting
Statistics never say everything, but they frame the night clearly.
Sorkin finished with 21 points, anchoring both ends. Santos and Clark added 15 apiece, providing balance that kept Jerusalem from loading up on one option.
For the visitors, Carrington matched Sorkin with 21 points. Austin Wiley battled inside for 18, while Harper chipped in 17.
Here is a simple snapshot of the leading scorers:
| Team | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | Roman Sorkin | 21 |
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | Marcio Santos | 15 |
| Maccabi Tel Aviv | Jimmy Clark | 15 |
| Hapoel Jerusalem | Khadeen Carrington | 21 |
| Hapoel Jerusalem | Austin Wiley | 18 |
| Hapoel Jerusalem | Jared Harper | 17 |
The gap showed up late, not early.
How Maccabi closed it out
The final minutes were calm, almost clinical.
Jerusalem tried to speed things up, hunting early threes and quick mismatches. Maccabi refused the bait, staying compact and choosing shots with care.
A few sequences summed it up:
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A patient half-court set that ended with Sorkin sealing deep and finishing through traffic.
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Brissett stepping into rhythm shots when help collapsed.
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Clean defensive rebounds that ended possessions without drama.
No theatrics. Just execution.
That is how you win these games.
The wider slate: wins across the league
The night’s action did not stop with the Classico.
Elsewhere in Israel Super League play, Hapoel Tel Aviv handled Ramat Gan with authority. Hapoel Beersheba took care of Hapoel Galil Elyon, and Bnei Herzliya edged Ironi Ness Ziona.
Different buildings. Same theme. Depth and discipline mattered.
What it means going forward
For Maccabi, the win reinforces a pattern that has been building quietly. They can absorb a punch. They can adjust. And they can finish with poise.
That matters with a packed schedule ahead.
Next up is a home EuroLeague date against Žalgiris Kaunas on Thursday, a game that will test rotation management and defensive focus against a side that thrives on movement and spacing.
Jerusalem turns the page quickly as well, heading to Greece for EuroCup action against Aris Thessaloniki. Road nights in Europe ask different questions, and the answers tend to arrive fast.
For now, though, the Israeli Classico belongs to Maccabi Tel Aviv.
They earned it the hard way. Early trouble. Midgame grit. Late control.
