The Israel Basketball League Championship series between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem will not come to a conclusion on Sunday night as had been scheduled due to the war with Iran as the decisive third game of the series has been postponed. Each team won of their respective home court and with the series all knotted up at 1-1 a basketball celebration was to take place at Yad Eliyahu to see if the yellow-and-blue would 3-peat or if the reds would win their third ever league title.

The league administration issued a statement of support while pushing off the third game of the championship series, “In light of the updated guidelines of the Home Front Command, game number 3 in the playoff final between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Jerusalem will not take place on its original date. The Israel Basketball League is working with the authorities in an effort to find an alternative date in the near future, while examining all possible scenarios, in order to allow the game to take place safely and as soon as possible.”

The league administration continued, “We emphasize that the championship will be decided, as it should be – in only one place: on the court. The Israel Basketball League supports the citizens of the State of Israel, the men and women of the IDF as well as all of the security forces in the country as well as the entire population.”

Maccabi Tel Aviv whose players, many of which including the vast majority of their foreigners live in the heart of the city and in places close to where Iranian missiles landed, have been moved to a more secure location up north. Both teams did not have practice the first day of the war and at this time, the yellow-and-blue are offering optional sessions for their players with some of the club’s staff.

Hapoel Jerusalem owner Matan Adelson issued a statement on X about the current situation and playing the final game of the series, “My thoughts are with everyone in Israel enduring these incredibly painful times. My heart breaks for those who’ve been killed or injured in the recent attacks, and I’m praying for the safety of our soldiers who are risking everything to protect us.

“Israelis are among the most resilient people on earth. That strength and spirit is what defines us. And it’s exactly why I believe this championship must be decided on the court. To cancel Game 3 now would send the wrong message, not just to the fans, but to anyone watching from the outside. It would say that fear controls us. And that’s not the Israeli way.

“This has been one of the most exciting seasons in Israeli basketball, during one of the most challenging years our country has ever faced. The least we can do, as owners, players, and teams, is come together and finish what we started. Let the game be played. Not in spite of the moment, but because of it. Am Yisrael Chai.”

There are reports that the league is examining a number of options for the conclusion of the season which include, playing the game in Tel Aviv with a limited amount of fans or no fans at all, playing the game in a different location with fans or potentially not playing the game at all and awarding the 2024/25 championship to both teams.

However, Maccabi worked hard all season long to earn home court advantage and have game three at home with a packed arena with their fans are not high on any of the options that have been bandied around at this point in time.

Meanwhile the Israel Basketball Association also issued a statement about the various games that are still being played under their auspices as well as the youth teams who are preparing for their upcoming respective tournaments.

“In light of the security situation and the Home Front Command’s instructions, the training sessions of the national teams preparing for the European Championships will not take place and has been postponed. In addition, all games have been postponed, including the third game in the Premier League final series.

The chairman of the Basketball Association, Amos Frishman, and the association’s CEO, Ron Skitel, are in continuous contact with the Home Front Command and a decision on the continuation of the national teams’ activities this week will be made later on. The scheduled departure of the Under-19 Israel Men’s National Team who are preparing for the World Championship on Monday will also be made depending on the current situation.”