Controversy Following Ramat Gan’s Dramatic Victory Over Rishon Lezion

Introduction to the Match

In start of the most thrilling encounters of the 2025/26 season, Maccabi Ramat Gan secured a dramatic 99-87 victory over Maccabi Rishon Lezion after an overtime period. Ramat Gan, coached by Shmulik Brener, trailed by nine points with just over a minute and a half remaining in regulation but staged a remarkable comeback.

The Comeback

Maccabi Ramat Gan launched an impressive 11-0 run, spearheaded by eight points from Frederick Bourdion. Despite efforts from Amin Stevens, who sent the game into overtime, Ramat Gan maintained momentum in the extra period, ultimately claiming their second consecutive away win amidst intense competition.

Game-Changing Incident

Less than a minute and a half before the end of the game, a brawl erupted involving multiple players from both teams. The confrontation resulted in players and coaches pushing each other, leading to the ejection of DJ Burns and Khalil Ahmad from Rishon Lezion, as well as Jordan Nicolas from Ramat Gan. Following the altercation, Ramat Gan was awarded five free throws, astonishingly converting all of them, along with two three-pointers, to turn the tide and lead 80-78.

After a tense finish to regulation tied the score at 80-80, Ramat Gan’s superior performance in the overtime period clinched the victory, much to the dismay of the home team.

Reactions from Rishon Lezion

In a post-match interview, Eran Ben-Haim, the CEO of Maccabi Rishon Lezion, expressed his frustration regarding the officiating, stating, “The game was under our control. With 1:20 left, we led by nine. A Ramat Gan player elbowed Kaplan in the face, leading to a chain reaction of events that escalated into an altercation. Khalil Ahmad attempted to intervene, but Atkins reacted aggressively, throwing Ahmad to the floor.”

Ben-Haim continued to condemn the violence, questioning how players who committed egregious acts remained on the court while his player Ahmad, who did not engage in violent behavior, was sent off. He labeled the officiating decisions as “clear discrimination” and stated, “These referee decisions cannot be ignored. I hope the referees’ association intervenes.”

Conclusion

As the dust settles on this high-stakes confrontation, the focus shifts towards addressing the implications of the officiating decisions and the role they played in the match’s outcome. The anger from Rishon Lezion signifies that discussions on sportsmanship and fair play, alongside the enforcement of rules, will continue to resonate beyond the court.