Hapoel Jerusalem made certain to get its continental marketing campaign off to a powerful begin, Hapoel Tel Aviv evened its Euroleague document, whereas Maccabi Tel Aviv stays winless.
Hapoel Jerusalem cruised previous the Rostock Seawolves 94-73 as Kenny Lofton Jr. and Jaleen Smith starred to assist the Reds to their first EuroCup victory of the 2026/27 season. Sasa Obradovic’s staff scored early and sometimes whereas lastly placing the brakes on TJ Crockett Jr., who had been filling the basket from deep. Shake Milton, Devontae Cacok and Yovel Zoosman additionally made necessary contributions as Jerusalem took management early and by no means seemed again.
Lofton completed with 20 factors and 10 rebounds, Smith added 18 factors and Milton scored 14 within the win. Crockett led Rostock with 22 factors, whereas Zach Copeland added 15.
Jerusalem constructed an early benefit and led 25-18 after the opening quarter earlier than extending its result in 49-37 by halftime.
The Reds continued to drag away within the third quarter, with Smith and Lofton main the best way, and entered the ultimate interval with a 73-54 benefit. Jerusalem then comfortably closed out the victory.
Jerusalem head coach Sasa Obradovic seemed again on the victory.
“This was an excellent win, however it’s early and we’re not taking part in but at our greatest. However a win like this now means so much for our confidence. We nonetheless want higher communication out of timeouts with higher concepts. We missed Jared Harper and when Lorenzo Brown is prepared we may have one other guard to assist out.”
Lofton was happy to start the season with a victory.
“It feels nice with a brand new staff, new coach, we’re excited and it feels nice to win. I do my job, I come right here to play and win. I carry vitality to the desk and we are going to proceed to get higher.”
Smith additionally mirrored on the staff’s robust begin whereas looking forward to Sunday’s showdown with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
“It’s one step on this lengthy journey, however we acquired off to an excellent begin. Now our focus is on Sunday in opposition to Maccabi Tel Aviv. Harper is injured, so I’m right here to prepare the offense, and as one of many veterans, that’s my position. We will’t depend on me alone, however tonight was my evening. Subsequent time, it is going to be another person. We’re a staff.”
Hapoel Tel Aviv downs Pink Star Belgrade
In the meantime, Hapoel Tel Aviv downed Pink Star Belgrade 81-80 as Elijah Bryant recorded a double-double and Vasilije Micic hit a pair of clutch 3-pointers down the stretch to offer the Reds their first Euroleague win of the season and even their continental document at 1-1.
Hapoel will subsequent face Actual Madrid at its short-term dwelling base in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Dimitrios Itoudis’s squad constructed an early lead behind Bryant and Zach LeDay and held a 45-35 benefit at halftime. Pink Star remained inside putting distance all through the second half, however Hapoel held its nerve down the stretch, with Micic’s late 3-pointers serving to safe the victory.
Bryant scored 18 factors, whereas Blakeney and LeDay added 12 apiece. Micic completed with 11 factors. Jared Butler led Pink Star with 16 factors, Jordan Nwora scored 13 and Tyson Carter added 12.
Hapoel head coach Dimitrios Itoudis was happy with the character his staff confirmed.
“Very massive win, it was a press release for us and a personality win. We managed the sport for more often than not. We performed virtually 35 minutes with ball motion and staff basketball, however then with 5 minutes left we wished to get to the top, however we would have liked to get there.”
Bryant, who was named the sport’s MVP, additionally harassed that Hapoel nonetheless has room to enhance.
“I watch the movie and see the place I can get higher, however there are a variety of issues that we are able to repair. It begins with protection and it’s a credit score to teach and the gamers for sticking collectively.”
In Belgrade, Maccabi Tel Aviv fell to Besiktas 109-93 as Scottie Wilbekin overwhelmed his former membership, serving to the guests to the victory and dropping the yellow-and-blue to 0-2 to start the season.
Besiktas got here out firing and constructed a six-point halftime lead earlier than pulling away within the second half. Wilbekin and Anthony Brown led the best way from past the arc, whereas Devon Dotson additionally made a significant contribution because the Turkish aspect secured the victory.
Bonzie Colson scored 17 factors and Jimmy Clark added 15 for Maccabi. Wilbekin and Brown every scored 20 factors for Besiktas, Dotson added 17 and Conor Morgan completed with 13.
Maccabi trailed 27-19 after the opening quarter and managed to remain inside putting distance via halftime, when Besiktas led 52-46. Nevertheless, Brown and Wilbekin helped Besiktas take management within the third quarter, with the Turkish aspect coming into the ultimate interval with a 78-63 benefit earlier than closing out the win.
Maccabi trying to bounce again in opposition to Greece
Maccabi will look to bounce again when it visits Panathinaikos on Friday evening.
Maccabi head coach Oded Katash made no secret of his disappointment, notably together with his staff’s defensive struggles and lack of chemistry.
“It was a foul sport. I’m specializing in the primary half. They shot the ball extraordinarily nicely from past the arc, however as the sport went on, we misplaced our confidence and our physique language deteriorated. It’s a really disappointing loss. We didn’t count on this and we’ll should bounce again. In two days, we’ll want to reply in a short time.”
Oshae Brissett additionally referred to as for a greater begin from Maccabi.
“After a loss, what can you actually say? We merely have to begin video games higher. I feel it was the identical story in each the primary and second video games. Now we have to get off to higher begins and personally, I have to play a lot more durable. I felt we gave up an excessive amount of on each ends of the ground, so we simply should play with much more depth.”
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