Maccabi Raanana Dominates Ironi Nes Ziona 92-70 in Ligat HaAl Clash

Maccabi Raanana delivered a commanding performance at home on May 19, 2026, as they powered past Ironi Nes Ziona with a decisive 92-70 victory in Israel's Ligat HaAl. The win not only extended Raanana’s winning streak but also solidified their position near the top of the standings as the regular season entered its final stretch.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, Maccabi Raanana imposed their will on both ends of the floor. Their disciplined half-court offense and aggressive perimeter defense stifled Ironi Nes Ziona’s rhythm, limiting the visitors to just 35% shooting from the field in the first half. By halftime, Raanana had built a 16-point cushion, and they never looked back.

Ironi Nes Ziona struggled to contain Raanana’s balanced attack. The home team saw contributions from across the roster, with four players reaching double figures. Their ball movement generated 23 assists against only 9 turnovers, highlighting a level of cohesion that Nes Ziona simply could not match.

Key Moments

• First-Quarter Surge: Maccabi Raanana opened with a 14-2 run in the first five minutes, capitalizing on fast-break opportunities and forcing three early turnovers.
• Third-Quarter Separation: After Nes Ziona trimmed the deficit to 10 points early in the third, Raanana answered with a 9-0 spurt capped by a step-back three-pointer from their leading scorer, pushing the lead back to 19 and effectively sealing the outcome.
• Fourth-Quarter Garbage Time: With the result no longer in doubt, both teams emptied their benches, giving valuable minutes to reserves.

Standout Players

Maccabi Raanana’s starting guard finished with 22 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 assists on 8-of-13 shooting, orchestrating the offense with poise. The team’s center added a double-double of 14 points and 13 boards, dominating the paint on both ends. For Ironi Nes Ziona, their veteran forward managed 18 points, but no other player scored more than 12, underlining the lack of secondary support.

Impact on the Ligat HaAl Standings

With this victory, Maccabi Raanana improved to 20-8 on the season, climbing into second place in the league table and putting pressure on the frontrunners. Ironi Nes Ziona dropped to 12-16, now sitting just two games above the relegation zone with five games remaining. Every result matters as the battle for playoff positions and survival heats up.

The win also boosted Raanana’s point differential, a crucial tiebreaker should they finish level with rival teams. Meanwhile, Nes Ziona will need to regroup quickly if they hope to avoid the relegation playoffs in the coming weeks.