Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv returned to the top of the Israeli Premier League standings with an 87-75 victory over Hapoel Afula on the road, achieved thanks to a new club record in offensive rebounds. The yellow-and-blue team grabbed no fewer than 26 offensive boards out of a total of 53, marking their first win in 2025.

With their second straight road win, the reigning champions finished the first round of the league with an 11-2 record. Jaylen Hoard led Maccabi’s scoring with 16 points, with captain John DiBartolomeo continuing his return to form with 13 points and 8 rebounds, including a personal best 6 on the offensive glass.

Oded Kattash’s squad dominated the rebounding battle from the jump, led by Trevion Williams (13 rebounds, 6 offensive) and Roman Sorkin (12 rebounds, 7 offensive). Low shooting percentages, including 10-of-35 from beyond the arc, prevented Maccabi from making the game entirely one-sided.

Maccabi will next return to Belgrade, where an encounter with Olimpia Milano awaits on Thursday.