Magic Stage Thrilling Comeback to Defeat Grizzlies in NBA's German Debut

In the NBA's inaugural regular-season game in Germany, the Orlando Magic overcame a significant deficit to secure a 118-111 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday. Paolo Banchero led the charge with 26 points and 13 rebounds, while Franz Wagner contributed 18 points and nine rebounds in his return to the lineup. Wagner's comeback was made all the more special as he played alongside his brother, Moritz Wagner, for the first time in over a year. Moritz Wagner, who had been sidelined with a left ACL tear since December 21, 2024, made a successful return earlier in the week and added seven points in 14 minutes. The Grizzlies were paced by Jaren Jackson Jr.'s 30 points, with Santi Aldama and Cedric Coward chipping in 18 and 17 points, respectively. Despite being without the injured Ja Morant, Memphis showed resilience but ultimately fell short. Anthony Black provided a significant boost for the Magic with 21 points, as the team rallied from a 20-point deficit midway through the second quarter. The Magic closed the gap to nine by halftime and then embarked on a 13-0 run to take an 84-73 lead late in the third quarter. Although the Grizzlies regained the lead, 105-102, with 4:05 remaining, Franz Wagner's clutch three-pointer tied the game, and he proceeded to score five crucial points in the final 1:39 to seal the win for Orlando. The game marked a significant milestone for the NBA, which played its first preseason game in what was then West Germany in 1984. The league has since experienced tremendous growth in international talent, with a record 135 international players, including 71 from Europe, participating in the current season. The demand for tickets was overwhelming, with fans from 62 countries purchasing tickets and over 250,000 people registering on the league's website in an attempt to secure tickets.