By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Before hosting Zalgiris Kaunas in Belgrade, Maccabi Tel Aviv was coming off a five-game losing streak, not finding the upper hand against Paris, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Baskonia, and Crvena Zvezda.
However, this five-game slump is now over as the Israeli team got over the Lithuanians 95-78, mainly helped by Jaylen Hoard.
In 31:29 minutes on the court, the 25-year-old forward had 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists with 7/11 from the field and a perfect 8/8 at the line.
23 points & 34 PIR and the Round 18 MVP for him✨
MVP of the Round I @PaniniAmerica pic.twitter.com/qJgE9PISeS
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) December 28, 2024
The former Hapoel Tel Aviv player was named the EuroLeague MVP of Round 18 following a competition-high 34 PIR. It’s the first time he’s received such an award.
Three players were particularly close to Jaylen Hoard. Achille Polonara and Chima Moneke both had 28-PIR winning performances respectively pushing Virtus Bologna and Baskonia over ASVEL and Paris Basketball, while Duane Washington had 27 PIR as Partizan beat Fenerbahce.
In his first-ever EuroLeague campaign, Jaylen Hoard has always scored in double digits except for three games over 18 appearances. He’s averaging 15.7 points – leading Maccabi – and 5.5 rebounds per game.
PHOTO CREDIT: Maccabi Tel Aviv