Brooklyn’s Barclays Center turned blue and white on Saturday night as nearly 14,000 fans welcomed Hapoel Jerusalem B.C., which faced the Brooklyn Nets in a preseason exhibition. The Nets won 123–88, but the event was marked by warm support for the visiting Israeli team.

Before tip-off, the crowd stood silently as Israeli-American singer Gilad Paz performed Hatikva, Israel’s national anthem. Spectators held Israeli flags, creating what reporters described as a “festive and respectful” atmosphere—strikingly different from recent incidents in Europe where Israeli teams faced protests during anthems.

After the game, Hapoel players posed for photos and greeted fans. “We were happy to take part in a wonderful exhibition game with great energy,” the team said in a post-game statement.

Hapoel Jerusalem, led by former NBA guard Jared Harper, is competing in the BKT EuroCup and had just arrived from a road win over Germany’s Hamburg Towers. The team continues its European tour with games in Belgrade before returning home for its Israeli Premier League opener on October 12.

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JNS – Fans at Barclays Center give warm reception to Hapoel Jerusalem
Source: JNS, October 2025