Maccabi Tel Aviv beat Hapoel Tel Aviv 86-75 in the Israel Basketball League Cup on November 10, 2026, winning the Tel Aviv derby with a composed second-half performance and a defense that tightened when the game was still in the balance.

Match overview

The opening quarter had the feel of a cup final rather than an early-season fixture, with both teams trading baskets in a loud, intense atmosphere. Hapoel Tel Aviv started with more aggression on the offensive glass and led briefly, but Maccabi Tel Aviv stayed within touching distance by moving the ball patiently and attacking the paint when the perimeter shot was not available.

Maccabi took control late in the second quarter. A 10-2 run before halftime turned a narrow deficit into a 43-38 lead, and from there the game settled into a pattern that favored the home side: Hapoel worked hard for contested jump shots, while Maccabi found easier looks through ball movement and second-chance points. The third quarter was where the separation really came, as Maccabi’s defensive pressure forced Hapoel into hurried possessions and allowed the hosts to build a double-digit cushion.

Key moments

The decisive stretch arrived in the third quarter, when Maccabi strung together a 13-4 run that pushed the margin into double figures. Hapoel responded with a spirited fourth-quarter push and trimmed the deficit to 74-70, but Maccabi answered immediately with a 7-0 burst that restored control and effectively ended the comeback threat.

• Maccabi closed the first half on a 10-2 run to take a 43-38 lead into the break.
• A third-quarter defensive surge gave the hosts their first comfortable advantage.
• Hapoel cut the gap to four in the fourth before Maccabi’s late 7-0 run sealed the result.

Tactical story

Maccabi’s ability to switch between half-court execution and transition offense made the difference. When Hapoel tried to crowd the lane, Maccabi’s guards found open shooters on the wing; when Hapoel extended its defense, the hosts attacked the rim. Defensively, Maccabi controlled the defensive glass in the second half and limited Hapoel’s second-chance opportunities, a key factor in a derby that was often played at a physical pace.

Hapoel’s best moments came when it forced turnovers and scored before Maccabi’s defense could set. But those moments were too intermittent. In the half court, Hapoel relied heavily on individual shot creation and struggled to generate clean looks against Maccabi’s length and help defense.

Standout performers

Maccabi’s backcourt set the tone with timely shot-making and steady decision-making, while the frontcourt rotation protected the rim and won important rebounds in traffic. The bench also gave Maccabi a lift, particularly during the second-quarter run that changed the momentum. For Hapoel, the lead guard was the primary source of offense and kept the team within reach, while the interior players battled on the boards despite foul trouble.

What it means

The 86-75 result gives Maccabi Tel Aviv a valuable cup win and local bragging rights over its biggest rival. For Hapoel Tel Aviv, the defeat will sting because the team competed for long stretches, but the fourth-quarter response showed enough character to suggest the gap is not insurmountable. In a competition where rhythm and confidence matter, Maccabi leaves with both, while Hapoel must regroup quickly.