Maccabi Tel Aviv blasted Maccabi Rishon Le’Zion 104-73 as Lonnie Walker began the game in fire with half a dozen 3-pointers and 24 first half points to set the tone for a yellow-and-blue blowout victory ahead of the Euroleague’s return to Israel this coming Thursday. ASVEL Villeurbanne will visit Yad Eliyahu later this week in what will be the first Euroleague game back in the Holy Land since Partizan Belgrade played in Tel Aviv back on October 5, 2023, less than 48 hours before the war with Hamas broke out.

Walker scored 27 points, Jimmy Clark put in 15 points while Marcio Santos and Will Rayman each scored 13 points in the win while DJ Burns scored 25 points and Amin Stevens scored 14 points in the loss.

“I’m very happy with the win and how we came into this game,” Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach Oded Katash began. “We are starting games much better from the defensive end and we are making a step up on that end. The first quarter was crazy and not normal which Lonnie also knows. We have things to work on but we are understanding what we need to do the past couple of games and have also used fouls properly.”

“We have gone through two difficult years and here we are about to host a Euroleague game with the last one having been against Partizan. We’re all so excited and we know there will be a full house and a great atmosphere that the fans will create with their energy. To be able to prepare for a Euroleague game here in Israel is also so important for us.

Katash also discussed the fact that many players haven’t yet played a Euroleague game in Israel at home, “I’m a bit worried that this will be tough for some guys as they have never experienced a Euroleague game here at Yad Eliyahu. This is an issue because some guys just don’t have the experience in this whatsoever. Iffe for example knows what it’s like and has that know how but he is really helping us off of the court.”

Sharon Drucker spoke about the game, “Lonnie Walker, that’s my summary of the game. He was incredible. We had hands in his face, defended him every which way and he didn’t let up. This was the first time the guys played here and Maccabi scored one 3-pointer after the next which shocked them. We tried our best to get the team back onto the game plan where we were better in the third quarter but it wasn’t enough.”

Will Rayman reflected on the win, “It’s always good to come out strong especially after the decisive European win so you want to continue the momentum. Lonnie Walker was ridiculous, best offensive performance of the season and that helps to. I’m really excited to see the fans and have the fan support as we have been missing that the past two years. I’m looking forward to seeing the place sold out and I’ve been thinking about for a long time. I’m really excited for Thursday.”

Khalil Ahmad commented on the game, “Lonnie Walker came out made some tough shots and we didn’t have our defensive flow. We worked on ourselves as individuals during the break but we have to really improve defensively.”

Will Rayman, Lonnie Walker and Jimmy Clark all dialled up long distance for Maccabi Tel Aviv to start off the game, Khalil Ahmad went from deep while Amin Stevens scored inside for Maccabi Rishon Le’Zion, but Walker knocked down four more triples to finish the quarter with 20 points and give the yellow-and-blue a 39-13 lead after ten minutes of play.

TJ Leaf and Iffe Lundberg both scored while Marcio Santos dunked, John Dibartolomeo drained a corner 3-ball, Marcus Williams, DJ Burns and Qua Grant all responded but Clark drilled home another 3-pointer while Walker put in a 4-point play to give Oded Katash’s team a 64-38 advantage at halftime.

Burns and Walker each scored to begin the third quarter, Rayman and Burns then traded triples, Stevens scored inside, Gur Lavi knocked down a corner 3-ball while Lundberg went from deep to keep Maccabi in front 82-60 after thirty minutes of action. Santos scored, Golan Gutt went from deep, Clark answered back as Burns tried to keep Sharon Drucker’s team in the game but it was too little and too late as youngster Oren Sahar hit a pair from downtown to help Maccabi take the 31-point win.