In a highly anticipated Ligat HaAl showdown, Maccabi Tel Aviv strengthened its hold on the league's top spot with a commanding 84–74 victory over Hapoel Holon on June 11, 2026. The win extended Maccabi’s winning streak and dealt a blow to Holon’s hopes of climbing the standings in the final stretch of the regular season.

Match Overview

Played at Holon's home venue, the game drew a passionate crowd expecting a tight battle between two of Israel's most successful clubs. From the opening tip, Maccabi Tel Aviv imposed its defensive will, forcing turnovers and converting them into fast-break points. Despite a spirited second-half rally from Holon, Maccabi's depth and composure in the final quarter sealed the 10-point road win.

Key Moments

• First Quarter Surge: Maccabi opened with a 14–4 run, capitalizing on three early misses by Holon from beyond the arc. By the end of the first quarter, the visitors led 24–16.
• Holon’s Third-Quarter Push: Trailing by 12 at halftime, Hapoel Holon came out with renewed energy. Guard R.J. Pearsall hit two quick three-pointers, cutting the deficit to 52–47 with five minutes left in the third.
• Maccabi Closes Strong: The visitors responded with an 11–2 run, including a clutch three from John DiBartolomeo and a tough finish at the rim by Wade Baldwin IV. That stretch pushed the lead back to 14, effectively deciding the outcome.

Tactical Story

Maccabi Tel Aviv head coach Oded Kattash employed a switching defense that disrupted Holon’s pick-and-roll offense. Holon managed only 12 assists on their 74 points, well below their season average. Offensively, Maccabi moved the ball efficiently, recording 22 assists and shooting 38% from three-point range. The inside presence of Josh Nebo (16 points, 9 rebounds) gave Maccabi a clear advantage in the paint (42–28 points in the paint).

Standout Performers

• Wade Baldwin IV (Maccabi): Led all scorers with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, adding 5 assists and 4 steals. His leadership on the floor was crucial in weathering Holon's runs.
• John DiBartolomeo (Maccabi): Contributed 14 points and 6 assists off the bench, hitting 4 of his 6 three-point attempts.
• R.J. Pearsall (Holon): The American guard finished with 19 points and 3 steals, but his effort was not enough to overcome Maccabi's balance.
• Richard Howell (Holon): Tied for game-high with 10 rebounds and added 12 points, battling hard inside against Nebo.

Impact on the Season

With the win, Maccabi Tel Aviv improved to 18–3 in Ligat HaAl play, maintaining a two-game lead over Hapoel Jerusalem atop the standings. Hapoel Holon dropped to 12–9, still in the playoff picture but now facing pressure to hold off chasing teams like Hapoel Tel Aviv and Bnei Herzliya. The result also extended Maccabi's dominance in the head-to-head series, having won four of the last five meetings between the two clubs.

The loss was particularly damaging for Holon’s home-court record, now 7–4 at home this season. For Maccabi, the victory continued a remarkable road run — they have won 9 of 11 away games, a key factor in their push for the top seed in the playoffs.

Looking Ahead

Hapoel Holon will aim to bounce back quickly when they travel to face Hapoel Be'er Sheva on June 14. Maccabi Tel Aviv, meanwhile, returns to home floor to host Hapoel Gilboa Galil, looking to extend their winning streak to seven games. The race for the Ligat HaAl title remains fiercely competitive, and matches like this one only heighten the drama.