Israeli team Maccabi Ra'anana faces Timberwolves as war rages at home

Maccabi Ra'anana was already in the U.S. when Hamas attacked Israel, which resulted in Israel declaring war and attacking Gaza.

October 17, 2023 at 12:36AM
Fans displayed signs of support for Israel on Thursday in Brooklyn when the Nets played an exhibition game against Maccabi Ra’anana. (Bebeto Matthews, Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The Timberwolves play Maccabi Ra'anana in an exhibition game Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Target Center. Ra'anana plays in the Israeli National League, which is second division to the Premier League. It has six Israeli players and several former NBA players, including ex-Orlando Magic starting guard Dwayne Bacon.

The team was already in the U.S. when Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, which resulted in Israel declaring war. Players and coaches decided to continue with the American tour; one Ra'anana player returned home.

The team played the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, losing 135-103. Coach Yehu Orland told reporters in New York one of his best friends had been killed in the attacks.

Ra'anana played Cleveland on Monday night, and the game against the Wolves concludes their three-game stint in America.

Maccabi played three exhibition games against NBA teams last year and went 0-3.

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