Maccabi Tel Aviv cruised to a dominant 109-61 victory over Ironi Kiryat Ata in the Israel Basketball League Cup on September 28, 2026. The yellow-and-blue put on an offensive clinic, leading by as many as 50 points in a game that was never in doubt.

Match Overview

Maccabi came out firing, scoring the first 12 points and racing to a 30-15 lead after the first quarter. The second quarter was more of the same, as Maccabi's bench extended the lead to 58-29 at halftime. The third quarter saw Maccabi maintain their intensity, outscoring Kiryat Ata 27-18, before emptying the bench in the fourth. The final scoreline of 109-61 underscored the vast gap between the two sides.

Key Moments

The game's defining moment came early in the first quarter. Maccabi's full-court press forced five turnovers in the first four minutes, sparking a 20-0 run that effectively ended the contest. Kiryat Ata struggled to even bring the ball past half-court, and Maccabi's transition offense feasted on easy baskets. The lead never dipped below 20 points after the first quarter.

Tactical Story

Maccabi's defensive pressure was relentless, resulting in 22 Kiryat Ata turnovers. The hosts converted those turnovers into 30 points. Offensively, Maccabi shared the ball beautifully, recording 31 assists on 42 made field goals. They also dominated the boards (48-30) and shot 52% from the field and 44% from three-point range. Kiryat Ata, meanwhile, shot just 34% and were outscored 54-22 in the paint.

Standout Players

• Maccabi Tel Aviv: Yam Madar led six Maccabi players in double figures with 18 points and 7 assists. Jake Cohen added 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Roman Sorkin scored 14 points off the bench. Wade Baldwin IV contributed 12 points and 8 assists.
• Ironi Kiryat Ata: Igor Nesterenko was the lone bright spot with 15 points and 6 rebounds. Amit Simhon added 12 points, but the team struggled mightily against Maccabi's defense.

Season Impact

Maccabi advances in the League Cup and sends a clear message that they are the team to beat in Israeli basketball. Kiryat Ata exits the competition, but their focus will now shift to the domestic league. For Maccabi, the challenge will be maintaining this level of intensity as the season progresses.