Hapoel Jerusalem emerged victorious in a capital city derby, defeating Hapoel Tel-Aviv 92-77 in a Ligat HaAl matchup on January 4, 2026. The visitors from Jerusalem controlled the game for large stretches, using a strong second-half performance to pull away for a convincing 15-point win. The first half was competitive, with both teams exchanging leads. After halftime, Hapoel Jerusalem's defense locked in, limiting Tel-Aviv's scoring opportunities and forcing them into difficult shots. This defensive effort fueled their transition game, allowing Jerusalem to embark on a decisive 18-5 run in the third quarter that broke the game open. The win was a significant result in the race for playoff positioning, giving Hapoel Jerusalem a psychological edge in the head-to-head rivalry.