Sports

Israel’s basketball powerhouse: Deni Avdija’s meteoric rise to NBA stardom

Deni Avdija has become the fulcrum of Portland’s offense and one of the most productive two-way forwards in the league.

|ByASHER SMITH
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS forward Deni Avdija (8) scores a basket during the first half against Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic (5) at Moda Center in Portland, Oregon.
Some of the Jewish and Israeli 2026 Winter Olympians, from left: Noa Szollos, Quinn Hughes, A.J. Edelman, Attila Mihály Kertész and Mariia Seniuk.

Jewish and Israeli athletes to watch in the 2026 Winter Olympics

Israel will send nine athletes to Milan for the 2026 Olympic Games, its second-largest delegation at its ninth Winter Olympics.

|ByJACOB GURVIS/JTA
The scene at Bloomfield Stadium was bedlam as Hapoel Tel Aviv players and fans celebrated together after the Reds earned their first derby victory over arch-rival Maccabi since 2014.

Curse is broken: Hapoel Tel Aviv’s night to remember after derby drought - comment

Over the course of these 30 contests that were sandwiched between wins, Maccabi won 25 times and drew five games as it scored 56 goals and conceded only 10.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV'S Will Rayman (11) has earned an increasingly important role with the club and he was instrumental in the yellow-and-blue's 75-71 Euroleague victory over Panathinaikos.

Everyone loves Rayman after Maccabi Tel Aviv's Euroleague triumph

Above all, the player who contributed to the win over the Greeks was Will Rayman, who perhaps made the most important and critical play, a play that wasn’t even with the ball.

|ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN

Israeli league: Walker’s 31-point performance leads Maccabi win; Hapoel TLV undefeated

Maccabi TLV rebounded with a dominant win fueled by Lonnie Walker (31 pts). Holon's coach slammed the performance, while Jerusalem and Tel Aviv also notched crucial victories.

NOVEMBER 24, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
MACCABI TEL AVIV’S Lonnie Walker hangs from the rim after an emphatic dunk for two of his game-high 31 points in the yellow-and-blue’s 102-75 league victory over Hapoel Holon at Menora Mivtachim Arena.

New leadership raises expectations for Syrian soccer’s renewal

The leadership change comes as Syrian sports continue to struggle after years of political interference, damaged facilities, and the loss of players and coaches. 

NOVEMBER 23, 2025ByRIZIK ALABI/THE MEDIA LINE
Syria's national team players in action during a training camp at al-Fayhaa Stadium in Damascus, Syria December 22, 2018.

Trump pardons Jewish-British billionaire Joe Lewis, who pleaded guilty to insider trading

Joe Lewis, whose family trust owns English Soccer club Tottenham Hotspur, has been pardoned by Trump after pleading guilty to insider trading in 2024.

NOVEMBER 23, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Tottenham Hotspur owner Joe Lewis (L) and chairman Daniel Levy in the stands

The future of sports insight: human passion meets artificial intelligence orecision

NOVEMBER 23, 2025ByISAAC KAPLAN
.

Miami Dolphis QB Tua Tagovailoa suggests playing NFL game in Jerusalem, sparking controversy

Several NFL teams have played in special overseas games, with Tua Tagovailoa, originally from Hawaii, saying it would be "cool to go play in Jerusalem."

NOVEMBER 19, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium, November 9, 2025

Blakeney lifts Hapoel to 85-80 win over Maccabi in fierce Tel Aviv derby

This was unlike any other derby from the recent past, with Hapoel Tel Aviv entering the contest as the clear favorites over Maccabi Tel Aviv.

NOVEMBER 19, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
ANTONIO BLAKENEY hits a three-pointer late in the fourth quarter of Hapoel Tel Aviv’s 85-80 derby victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv at Menora Mivtachim Arena.

New York Jets cornerback Kris Boyd shot in Manhattan

'I am praying for New York Jets player Kris Boyd and his loved ones,' New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.

NOVEMBER 17, 2025ByREUTERS
Jan 5, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair (0) breaks the tackle of Houston Texans cornerback Kris Boyd (17) during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory

Islam Makhachev, Valentina Shevchenko cruise to title wins at UFC 322

A dominant wrestling base made the difference for Makhachev (28-1 MMA), who became the 11th fighter in UFC history to win multiple titles across divisions.

NOVEMBER 16, 2025ByREUTERS
Islam Makhachev looks on in a welterweight title bout against Jack Della Maddalena of Australia during UFC 322 at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2025 in New York City.

Sharir shines for Israel, claims under-63kg judo gold medal at Zagreb Grand Prix

“I was happy to show quality, determined, and precise judo, and bring a moment of pride to the State of Israel.” Judo athlete Gili Sharir stands on the podium after a performance for Israel.

NOVEMBER 16, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST SPORTS STAFF
ISRAELI JUDOKA Gili Sharir marked one of the biggest wins of her career by capturing the gold medal in the under-63kg division at the Zagreb Grand Prix.

Heart, heartbreak at Bloomfield: Bermans’ return and Beitar’s stunning rout of Mac TA

Former Gaza hostages Gali and Ziv Berman attended the game, thanking Maccabi Tel Aviv players and fans for their embrace of "endless love."

NOVEMBER 10, 2025ByJOSHUA HALICKMAN
RELEASED HOSTAGES, and twins, Ziv (left) and Gali (right) Berman are honored on the pitch at Bloomfield Stadium before the Maccabi Tel Aviv-Beitar Jerusalem match.