Paolo Banchero delivered a dominant performance with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Franz Wagner added 18 points and 9 rebounds, guiding the Orlando Magic to a 118-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, January 15 (U.S. time) in Berlin, marking the NBA’s first regular-season game ever held in Germany.
This historic matchup represents a milestone in the NBA’s international expansion. The league first played a preseason game in what was then West Germany back in 1984, featuring 10 international players on the rosters. Nearly four decades later, the NBA continues to grow globally, now featuring a record 135 international players this season, including 71 from Europe.
Wagner Brothers Reunite
Franz Wagner returned to action after missing more than a month due to a serious ankle injury, and he had the special opportunity to share the court with his younger brother, Moritz Wagner, for the first time in over a year. Moritz had been sidelined with a left ACL injury since December 21, 2024, but he returned earlier this week and contributed 7 points in 14 minutes.
In addition, Anthony Black added 21 points for Orlando, helping the Magic secure their third win in four games, showing strong momentum in the early part of 2026.
Orlando’s Comeback
Memphis started strong, building a 52-32 lead by mid-second quarter, but the Magic slowly chipped away at the deficit. By halftime, the gap had shrunk to 9 points, and Orlando’s 13-0 run in the third quarter gave them an 84-73 advantage heading into the final period.
The Grizzlies fought back, regaining a 105-102 lead on a layup from GG Jackson with just 4:05 left in the game. Franz Wagner responded with a key three-pointer to tie the game, then scored five of the Magic’s final points over the last 1:39 to secure the win.
Grizzlies Struggle Without Ja Morant
For Memphis, Jaren Jackson Jr. led the team with 30 points, while Santi Aldama and Cedric Coward contributed 18 and 17 points, respectively. The Grizzlies have now lost seven of their last nine games, and their struggles were compounded by the absence of two-time All-Star Ja Morant, sidelined with a right calf injury. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed optimism that Morant would return for Sunday’s rematch between the Grizzlies and Magic in London.
NBA’s Global Reach
The league reported that tickets for Thursday’s game were sold to fans from 62 countries, with more than 250,000 fans attempting to secure seats through the NBA website. The event highlights the NBA’s growing international footprint and underscores the popularity of basketball across Europe and beyond.
Orlando Magic’s win in Berlin not only showcased Banchero’s and Wagner’s talents, but also symbolized the continued globalization of the NBA, blending exciting on-court performances with historic international engagement.
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