The Orlando Magic defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 118-111 in Berlin on Thursday, marking the NBA's first regular-season game in Germany. Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Franz Wagner returned from a high ankle sprain to contribute 18 points and nine rebounds in his native country.
Wagner was joined by his brother Moritz Wagner for the first time in over a year. Moritz, recently back from an ACL tear, added seven points in 14 minutes. Anthony Black also scored 21 points, helping the Magic secure their third win in four games.
For the Grizzlies, who have lost seven of their last nine, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 30 points, with Santi Aldama adding 18 and Cedric Coward 17. Star player Ja Morant was sidelined with a right calf injury, but NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism that Morant would be fit for Sunday's rematch in London.
The Grizzlies led 52-32 midway through the second quarter, but the Magic fought back to trail by nine at halftime. A 13-0 run early in the third quarter gave Orlando an 84-73 advantage late in the period. Memphis rallied and took a 105-102 lead on GG Jackson's layup with 4:05 left, but Franz Wagner tied it with a three-pointer and scored five points in the final 1:39 to seal the win.
The NBA played its first preseason game in what was then West Germany in 1984, when there were just 10 international players on rosters. This season opened with a record 135 international players, including 71 from Europe. Tickets for Thursday's game were sold to fans from 62 countries, and more than 250,000 people registered for the chance to buy them.
