NEW YORK (JTA) — The head coach of the Maccabi Tel Aviv basketball team refused to leave the court following his ejection from an exhibition game against the New York Knicks.
Pini Gershon delayed play in Madison Square Garden for 10 minutes Sunday after he would not exit following his second technical foul in the third quarter.
Security officials from the NBA and Madison Square Garden tried to lead Gershon off the floor. Rabbi Yitchak Dovid Grossman of the youth village Migdal Ohr, which was benefiting from the night’s proceeds, also tried to intercede, asking officials to let the coach stay.
Gershon eventually left under heavy security detail.
The Knicks defeated Maccabi, 106-91. The Israeli squad heads to Los Angeles for an exhibition game Tuesday night with the Clippers.
Under Gershon, Maccabi Tel Aviv has won the Euroleague Championship twice in the past decade.
