The Orlando Magic staged a comeback from 20 points down to beat the Memphis Grizzlies 118-111 in the first game of a two-game NBA Global Games series in Berlin. Franz Wagner returned from injury to contribute 18 points, delighting his hometown crowd, while Ja Morant sat out with a calf injury, disappointing NBA commissioner Adam Silver. The series continues Sunday in London.
In Berlin, the Orlando Magic erased a 20-point deficit to secure a 118-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 1 of the NBA Global Games series on Thursday. The game, played in the hometown of Orlando's Wagner brothers, featured a strong performance from Paolo Banchero, who tallied 26 points and 13 rebounds to lead the comeback.
Franz Wagner, returning after a 16-game absence due to a high-ankle sprain suffered on December 7 against the New York Knicks, showed some rust but exploded for 13 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, adding nine rebounds. His brother Moritz Wagner contributed seven points, while German-born teammate Travis da Silva added eight. "Mentally, there was a lot coming into this week," Franz Wagner said. "Working back from an injury is never easy, and then it was this game. It was a very emotional week. … I was happy to make some plays at the end."
The Wagners, who grew up in Berlin and played in Alba Berlin's youth program before reaching the NBA, hosted their teammates during the week, including practices with local youth teams. For Memphis, Jaren Jackson Jr. led with 30 points, but the Grizzlies could not hold the lead. Desmond Bane, traded to Orlando last summer, scored 13 points in his first game against his former team.
Memphis star Ja Morant missed the contest due to a minor calf bruise, his sixth consecutive absence. NBA commissioner Adam Silver expressed disappointment pre-game: "He has a tremendous following globally, and I wish he were able to play tonight. I still am holding out hope he’ll be able to play when we are in London on Sunday. So yes, I’m disappointed he’s not on the floor tonight, but I understand he’s injured."
The Grizzlies, sitting at 17-22 and 10th in the Western Conference, face no punishment under the league's player participation policy, as Morant's injury is legitimate. Morant, averaging 19 points and 7.6 assists this season, sidestepped trade questions amid speculation. The NBA remains optimistic he could feature in Sunday's London matchup.
