Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv delivered a big performance and reminded everyone who are the champions, beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 79-97 in the first derby of 2024/25. In front of a full arena – for the first time this season – Jaylen Hoard led the Yellows with a 26-point performance against his former team, and Oded Kattash’s squad handed the city rivals their first loss of the season in the league.
In a repeat of last season’s finals series, and without the injured Jasiel Rivero and the ill David DeJulius, Maccabi showed dominance and led for most of the game. Hoard drew energy from the chants against him from the opposing fans and delivered his best performance in the Maccabi uniform, bringing the crowd into a frenzy.
Rokas Jokubaitis was also instrumental with 18 points, 9 assists, and 6 rebounds. Roman Sorkin, Levi Randolph, Tamir Blatt, Wayne Gabriel, Marial Shayok, and John DiBartolomeo all contributed with key minutes, and the reigning champs pulled away and celebrated in style.
The Maccabees will now head into a demanding schedule, with another home game against Hapoel Haifa on Tuesday, a road game in Munich vs. Bayern on Thursday and a visit to Holon on Saturday.
