The Israeli champs have now recorded three wins in a row for the first time this season
Proud Maccabi showed the right mindset to down another top-four contender

After Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, AS Monaco has become the second top-four contender to be dealt a major blow on the road by a relentless Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv after the international break. Despite having missed out on their main objective of making the postseason, the Israeli champs have been taking to the court with the mindset of competing until the final whistle.
This mentality, instilled into the team by head coach Oded Kattash, has seen Maccabi record three wins in a row for the first time this season. Two of those victories came against Final Four aspirants Fenerbahce and Monaco, each of which saw its defense concede over 90 points at Belgrade's Aleksandar Nikolic Hall.
Following Maccabi’s 91-88 victory over Monaco on Thursday, Trevion Williams explained in simple words that the key to the win did lie in Maccabi’s attitude on the floor.
“Keeping our foot on the gas. Whether we’re up or down, trying not to pay much attention to the score and just playing hard,” he told EuroLeague TV. “The coach has been stressing that a lot lately. Just play hard regardless of the outcome, regardless of what happens. Just play hard and the best will happen for you.”
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Maccabi came into Round 29 without two of its most important frontcourt players in Jaylen Hoard and Jasiel Rivero. Yet, Williams and Roman Sorkin stepped up big time in the frontcourt, inspiring their team to victory. The former registered a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, with the latter pairing his 18 points with 7 boards.
“With the circumstances, other guys stepped up and got the job done,” Williams added. “It’s unbelievable. Our mindset going into the game didn’t change. We’ve now won three in a row and we want to keep that going.”
Sometimes, when objectives have not been accomplished as planned, pride steps in to provide you with a boost in motivation.
“Good feeling - three wins in a row,” Rokas Jokubaitis told EuroLeague TV. “Doesn’t happen often for Maccabi this season. It’s sad that we started playing like this at the end of the season, but it’s [a matter of] pride to finish the season as best as possible and we show it.”
A confident Jokubaitis (18 points, 5 assists) netted a layup in traffic with 0:31 remaining to complete a comeback by putting Maccabi ahead, 89-88. Levi Randolph, who chipped in with 17 points, sealed the victory from the free-throw line, sending a clear message across the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague: Maccabi is not to be underestimated.