Micic scores 31 points in Tel Aviv derby win

Vasilije Micic scored 31 points on Tuesday to lead Hapoel Tel Aviv to a 105-87 victory over Maccabi Tel Aviv at Yad Eliyahu. The 32-year-old guard made nine three-pointers during the game, which marked the first of three scheduled meetings between the city rivals in November. Hapoel improved its Euroleague record to 6-3 with the win, while Maccabi fell to 2-7.

Hapoel head coach Dimitris Itoudis designed the offense to exploit Maccabi’s recent struggles defending the perimeter. The Reds connected on 19 of 31 attempts from three-point range. Antonio Blakeney and Tomer Ginat also contributed to the scoring effort. Tamir Blatt, who left Maccabi over the summer, made his 2026-27 debut against his former team. Blatt shot 3-for-3 from beyond the arc.

Micic told The Jerusalem Post in the Hapoel locker room that the team focused on maintaining concentration and energy throughout the contest. "I had a good shooting day, but I think we also played with concentration," Micic said. He noted that Hapoel struggled on defensive rebounds, a key weapon for Maccabi, but managed to sustain its intensity to secure the result.

The victory extends Hapoel’s strong start to the European campaign. The team sits sixth in the Euroleague standings. Maccabi, which has been without a replacement guard for Iffe Lundberg for more than two weeks, currently ranks 17th. Maccabi will travel to Partizan Belgrade on Friday, while Hapoel hosts Barcelona on Thursday.

Micic dismissed the idea that Hapoel specifically targeted Maccabi’s defensive weaknesses. "We were looking for good shots," he said. He explained that Maccabi’s defense closes gaps and limits space, requiring players to be ready to shoot when opportunities arise. He added that the team is in its second year together and expects chemistry to improve as the season progresses.

The teams will meet again in the Winner Cup final on Monday. A subsequent Euroleague matchup is scheduled later that week, with the game set to take place abroad due to the security situation in Israel. Micic stated that his team’s immediate focus is on Thursday’s game against Barcelona, which he believes is being undervalued by other clubs this season.