Hapoel Holon survived a fierce battle with Maccabi Raanana, prevailing 95–93 in a thrilling Ligat HaAl contest on May 15, 2026. The narrow victory kept Holon in the upper half of the Israeli top-flight standings, while Raanana walked away with a moral victory but a painful loss.

Match Overview

The game was a back-and-forth affair from the opening whistle, with neither team able to establish a double-digit lead. Holon leaned on its experienced backcourt and aggressive drives to the basket, while Raanana countered with hot three-point shooting and transition buckets. The score was tied 10 times, and the lead changed hands on 15 occasions. In the final minute, Holon’s clutch free-throw shooting proved decisive, as they held off a last-second three-point attempt that would have forced overtime.

Key Moments

• First-Half Fireworks: Raanana shot 60% from the field in the first quarter, but Holon answered with a 9–0 run bridging the first and second quarters to take a four-point lead at halftime.
• Fourth-Quarter Drama: With 3:30 remaining, Raanana tied the game at 88. Holon responded with a 5–0 spurt, capped by a step-back jumper and an and-one layup.
• Final Possession: Down 95–93 with 4.2 seconds left, Raanana inbounded to their sharpshooter, whose contested three-pointer rimmed out, sealing Holon’s win.

Tactical Story

Holon’s coaching staff prioritized attacking the paint, which drew fouls and opened up perimeter looks. They attempted 28 free throws to Raanana’s 18 and connected on 23. Defensively, they switched ball screens aggressively, forcing turnovers that led to fast-break points. Raanana, by contrast, relied heavily on pick-and-pop actions and off-ball screens to free their shooters. They knocked down 14 three-pointers but were hurt by a 6-of-14 performance from the free-throw line.

Standout Players

Holon Guard (26 points, 8 assists): Controlled the tempo and drew fouls at will. He scored 10 points in the fourth quarter. Raanana Forward (24 points, 9 rebounds): A matchup nightmare who scored inside and out, but his team came up just short.

Impact on Standings

Hapoel Holon improved to 13–9, keeping pace with the top four in Ligat HaAl. Maccabi Raanana dropped to 10–12, now three games out of the playoff zone with eight games left. The loss stings, but Raanana’s competitive showing signals they can challenge any team in the league.