Hapoel Jerusalem handed technical loss as Hapoel Tel Aviv takes 2-0 series lead

The Israeli Basketball Association’s Supreme Court has awarded Hapoel Jerusalem a technical loss for Game 1 of its playoff semifinal series against Hapoel Tel Aviv. The ruling overturns an earlier decision that had ordered the game to be replayed after it was suspended during the third quarter because of an air-raid alert.

Following the interruption, Hapoel Jerusalem’s players declined to return to the court and resume the game. The court determined that responsibility for the game not being completed rested with Jerusalem, resulting in a technical defeat.

As a consequence, Hapoel Tel Aviv now holds a 2-0 lead in the semifinal series and moves one step closer to securing a place in the Israeli league finals.