2022–23 Israeli Basketball Premier League

Maccabi Tel Aviv entered the 2022–23 campaign as the league's most successful and historically dominant club.[6][7] The season ultimately produced a Tel Aviv derby championship series, with Hapoel Tel Aviv reaching the league final for the first time since 2005.[4] Maccabi was coached by Oded Katash, while Danny Franco coached Hapoel.[1]

The domestic campaign began with the Winner Cup final between Maccabi Tel Aviv and Hapoel Tel Aviv. Maccabi prevailed 88–84 in overtime to claim the season's first trophy.[3] Alex Poythress was named game MVP after finishing with 24 points and seven rebounds, while Lorenzo Brown contributed 20 points and nine assists. Hapoel was led by Xavier Munford with 23 points and Jordan McRae with 17.[3]

During the league season, Maccabi defeated Hapoel Beersheba 81–68 to move into first place, leapfrogging Hapoel Tel Aviv in the standings.[8] Maccabi also reached the EuroLeague playoff quarterfinals but lost to Hapoel Jerusalem in the State Cup final.[4]

Hapoel Tel Aviv's first league-final appearance since 2005 produced a best-of-three derby series against Maccabi Tel Aviv.[4] The series was turbulent and swung sharply between the two clubs before Maccabi ultimately prevailed.

Game 1 went to Maccabi Tel Aviv, which took a 1–0 series lead with a home victory.[1]

Game 2 saw Hapoel Tel Aviv defeat Maccabi 112–74 to level the series at 1–1.[5] Hapoel led 36–17 after one quarter, 59–42 at halftime, and 86–65 after three quarters.[5] The team made 15 of 28 three-point attempts. Xavier Munford scored 26 points, Jordan McRae added 21, and J'Covan Brown recorded 11 points and nine assists. Wade Baldwin led Maccabi with 18 points, followed by Bonzie Colson with 17 and Rafi Menco with 14.[5] The 38-point margin was reported as Maccabi's largest defeat in Israel and Hapoel's largest-ever derby victory.[5]

Game 3, played at Menora Mivtachim Arena, produced another dramatic finish.[2] Maccabi led 26–23 after the first quarter, 42–38 at halftime, and 75–64 after three quarters.[4] Hapoel responded with a 17–0 run led by J'Covan Brown, Tomer Ginat, and Xavier Munford, taking an 85–83 lead with 2:49 remaining.[1] Wade Baldwin answered with a three-pointer and four free throws, while Lorenzo Brown converted two late free throws to complete Maccabi's 94–90 victory.[1]

Lorenzo Brown and Wade Baldwin led Maccabi Tel Aviv with 22 points each in the championship clincher.[1][4] Baldwin added eight assists and six rebounds, while Brown contributed seven assists. Roman Sorkin scored 13 points, and Alex Poythress added 12 off the bench.[4] Baldwin was named MVP of the final series.[1]

Hapoel Tel Aviv was led by J'Covan Brown, who finished with 31 points and eight assists. Tomer Ginat added 14 points, and Xavier Munford scored 13.[1]

The final series was marked by significant disorder, particularly during Game 2. The match was delayed by 45 minutes following fireworks set off by Hapoel Tel Aviv supporters and a dispute over the placement of a table near the scorer's table.[9][5] Smoke from the fireworks was reported to have caused Hapoel center Chinanu Onuaku to vomit in the locker room.[9]

During a halftime altercation, objects were thrown toward players and staff.[9][5] Maccabi forward Jake Cohen was reportedly struck by a drumstick, while a Hapoel medical staff member and the fiancée of Maccabi captain John DiBartolomeo were reportedly injured by thrown objects.[9] The series more broadly included flares, clashes involving supporters and team personnel, and repeated disputes away from the basketball itself.[4]

The championship completed a season in which Maccabi Tel Aviv also reached the EuroLeague playoff quarterfinals and finished as runner-up to Hapoel Jerusalem in the State Cup.[4] Baldwin's series-MVP award reflected his decisive contribution to the title-clinching game.[1] Although Hapoel Tel Aviv fell short of the championship, its first appearance in the league final since 2005 marked a significant return to the title series.[4]

Contemporary coverage emphasized the historical records set during Game 2, reporting the result as both Maccabi Tel Aviv's largest defeat in Israel and Hapoel Tel Aviv's largest derby victory.[5] Maccabi's recovery two days later reinforced its long-term domestic dominance: the championship was its 56th league title and its fifth in six seasons.[2]