The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/nba/ News from Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish World Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:03:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://static-cdn.toi-media.com/www/uploads/2018/11/toi_icon_512-200x200.png NBA National Basketball Association | The Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/topic/nba/ 32 32 Trump booed at NBA Finals game in Madison Square Garden https://www.timesofisrael.com/trump-booed-at-nba-finals-game-in-madison-square-garden/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 06:45:57 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3839337 'We've waited a lifetime for this, and he's made it about himself, like everything else,' one fan says of US president, who has had a complicated relationship with his former hometown

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]]> Avdija’s breakout NBA season ends as Trail Blazers knocked out of playoffs https://www.timesofisrael.com/avdijas-breakout-nba-season-ends-as-trail-blazers-knocked-out-of-playoffs/ Wed, 29 Apr 2026 07:56:11 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3812539 Israeli basketball star scores 22 points as team loses to San Antonio Spurs

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]]> Jewish ex-NBA star Amar’e Stoudemire set for Hall of Fame https://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-former-nba-star-amare-stoudemire-reportedly-heading-to-hall-of-fame/ Wed, 01 Apr 2026 20:24:35 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3793142 An Israeli citizen and devout covert to Judaism after retirement, the 6-time NBA All-Star and Israeli league veteran reportedly to be inducted into the sport's pantheon

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]]> In first, NBA game features 3 Israelis — Avdija, Wolf and Saraf https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-first-nba-game-features-3-israelis-avdija-danny-wolf-and-ben-saraf/ Tue, 17 Mar 2026 23:12:26 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3780719 All-Star Deni Avidja says energy reminded him of Menora arena in Tel Aviv, after he and Ben Saraf hug and exchange jerseys, as Jewish basketball fans show up in force

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]]> Spike Lee defends pro-Palestinian outfit, says not meant to disrespect Avdija https://www.timesofisrael.com/spike-lee-defends-pro-palestinian-outfit-says-not-meant-to-disrespect-avdija/ Wed, 18 Feb 2026 09:48:10 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3756895 Filmmaker says he was unaware Avdija was first Israeli NBA All-Star when he wore keffiyeh sweater to game, getup was 'not intended as a gesture of hostility to Jewish people'

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]]> Deni Avdija makes history as first Israeli to play as NBA All-Star https://www.timesofisrael.com/basketballer-deni-avdija-makes-history-as-first-israeli-to-play-as-nba-all-star/ Mon, 16 Feb 2026 03:01:07 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3755294 Avdija scores 5 points and makes 4 assists during 15 minutes on basketball court, though his team of international stars loses both contests, missing out on round-robin championship

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]]> With breakout NBA season, Israel’s Avdija elevating his game to new heights https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-breakout-nba-season-israels-avdija-elevating-his-game-to-new-heights/ Sun, 15 Feb 2026 07:50:44 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3746295 The first-ever Israeli to make the All-Star Game, the former Maccabi Tel Aviv superstar is boxing out haters while on a fast break to basketball greatness for the Trail Blazers

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]]> ‘Hard to believe’: Deni Avdija becomes first Israeli to be selected as NBA All-Star https://www.timesofisrael.com/hard-to-believe-deni-avdija-becomes-first-israeli-to-be-selected-as-nba-all-star/ Mon, 02 Feb 2026 04:47:23 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3746223 Portland Trail Blazers star forward is enjoying breakout season and has thrilled fans in Israel, where he grew up on a kibbutz; game is February 15

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]]> NBA star Deni Avdija laments ‘all the hate’ for being Israeli amid on-court success https://www.timesofisrael.com/nba-star-deni-avdija-laments-all-the-hate-for-being-israeli-amid-on-court-success/ Fri, 23 Jan 2026 07:15:55 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3739817 Israeli power forward is in running for All-Star game, is current odds-on favorite to win Most Improved Player award, as he enjoys breakout season with Portland Trail Blazers

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]]> Avdija falls short of NBA All-Star starting lineup, still has hope to be a reserve https://www.timesofisrael.com/avdija-falls-short-of-nba-all-star-starting-lineup-still-has-hope-to-be-a-reserve/ Tue, 20 Jan 2026 08:23:38 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3737609 While fans rate Israeli hoopster in top 5, players and media rank him lower, putting him 7th overall; coaches will now select the 7 non-starters for Feb. 12 game

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]]> Israel’s Deni Avdija 7th in NBA All-Star Game voting in West, continuing breakout season https://www.timesofisrael.com/deni-avdija-places-seventh-in-nba-all-star-game-voting-continuing-breakout-season/ Tue, 30 Dec 2025 17:30:20 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3723427 24-year-old Portland Trail Blazers forward could become first-ever Israeli All-Star, on the heels of becoming Israel's all-time leading NBA scorer earlier this month

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]]> Deni Avdija now Israel’s all-time leading NBA scorer https://www.timesofisrael.com/deni-avdija-now-israels-all-time-leading-nba-scorer-as-he-becomes-true-hoops-star/ Sat, 06 Dec 2025 11:48:16 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?post_type=liveblog_entry&p=3705881 Passing Omri Casspi for the record, the 24-year-old Portland forward has emerged as one of the best players in the world, and is on pace to be Israel's first-ever NBA All Star

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]]> Israeli hoopsters Ben Saraf, Danny Wolf taken by Nets in first round of NBA draft https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-hoopsters-ben-saraf-danny-wolf-taken-by-nets-in-first-round-of-nba-draft/ Thu, 26 Jun 2025 07:59:46 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3585029 Rebuilding Brooklyn team takes Israel-born teen guard, proud Jewish Michigan forward with back-to-back picks, putting them on track to join Deni Avdija in US pro basketball league

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]]> Israeli point guard Ben Saraf declares for NBA draft https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-point-guard-ben-saraf-declares-for-nba-draft/ Fri, 18 Apr 2025 15:52:43 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3529885 The 6-foot-6 Saraf is ranked as the No. 23 prospect in the draft pool by ESPN; if picked, he will become second Israeli currently playing in NBA

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]]> US-Israeli basketball star Danny Wolf seeks glory in March Madness — and likely the NBA https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-israeli-basketball-star-danny-wolf-seeks-glory-in-march-madness-and-likely-the-nba/ Sat, 22 Mar 2025 02:47:28 +0000 https://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=3507983 The Michigan center hopes to take his team on a deep tournament run, but has bigger dreams of disrupting stereotypes about Jews and sports

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