Maccabi Tel Aviv’s start to the EuroLeague season continued to test expectations, as the Yellow‑and‑Blue fell 101-94 to Paris Basketball in Belgrade on Friday night. It was their second loss in as many games, a result that underscored the early shifts in power in Tel Aviv and the broader intrigue around European basketball’s latest chapter.
Game flow: Tel Aviv unable to sustain early competition
The hosts entered the game with a fighting spirit but could not sustain the momentum against a Paris squad that looked ready to press the pace. Tel Aviv managed to stay within striking distance through the first half, carrying a 48‑41 deficit into the locker room. A key contributor in the opening 20 minutes was Lonnie Walker IV, who came off the bench to contribute 11 points, helping keep the scoreboard respectable against a visiting Paris side that ranked among the league’s early threats.
First-half highlights
Walker’s mobility and scoring punch off the pine kept Tel Aviv in the mix, while Jeff Dowtin added 6 assists to anchor the offense. For Paris, the balanced attack kept tearing through the gaps in the defense, setting up a dynamic second half. Tel Aviv’s in‑game adjustments didn’t yield the desired dividends for long stretches, and the second quarter’s late rhythm suggested the story of the night might hinge on whether Paris could sustain the edge after intermission.
Second half: Paris runs away, Tel Aviv fights to stay in it
The third quarter proved pivotal, with Paris pushing the margin to double digits (74‑63) and then widening further in the fourth as Tel Aviv battled to claw back. Paris extended its advantage to 20 points at one stretch (83‑63) and held Tel Aviv at bay for much of the second half. The late surge was not enough to overturn the deficit, and Paris closed out the game with a comfortable cushion.
Second-half stretch and finishing push
Tel Aviv’s offense found sporadic rhythm, but Paris maintained discipline on defense and capitalized on crucial stretches to restore order after each Tel Aviv push. The finish didn’t reflect a lack of effort from the home team, but rather the effectiveness of Paris’s ball movement and shot-making when it mattered most.
Key players and performances
- Lonnie Walker IV – 16 points (11 in the first half, 5 in the second)
- Jeff Dowtin – 16 points, 6 assists
- Jalen Hoard – 15 points
- T. J. Leaf – 14 points
- Nadir Hifi – 21 points to lead Paris
Walker’s early contribution helped Tel Aviv stay within striking distance, but Paris’s top scorer, Nadir Hifi, set the tone with a 21‑point performance, ensuring Paris carried the momentum through the night. Dowtin’s distribution and Hoard’s scoring presence, combined with Leaf’s reliable scoring, gave Paris a balanced attack that Tel Aviv found difficult to contain for four quarters.
Implications and next steps
The result leaves Tel Aviv at 0‑2 to start the EuroLeague season, intensifying the early conversation about leadership in Tel Aviv’s basketball scene. The club’s next EuroLeague game comes against archrival Hapoel Tel Aviv, a matchup that will carry extra weight as both teams seek to establish early dominance in the league and respond to a challenging start to the campaign.
Bottom line
Paris Basketball’s balanced attack and Tel Aviv’s sporadic runs added up to a 101‑94 victory that underscored the competitive nature of the EuroLeague this season. For Tel Aviv, the challenge now is to translate competitive halves into a sustained, four‑quarter effort, starting with the upcoming clash against Hapoel Tel Aviv as the team looks to rebound from an early skid.
