NBA Germany Game: Magic Complete 20-Point Comeback to Defeat Grizzlies, Banchero Scores 26+13, Wagner Returns with 18 Points

On January 16th Beijing time, during the NBA’s inaugural regular-season match in Germany, the Orlando Magic defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 118-111, achieving a remarkable 20-point comeback. Banchero posted 26 points and 13 boards, and Wagner, back from injury after over a month, added 18 points and 9 rebounds.

Wagner had missed over a month due to a high ankle sprain and made his return in his homeland Germany, marking his first time playing alongside his brother, Franz Wagner, in over a year. Franz Wagner suffered a torn ACL in his left knee on December 22, 2024, and recently rejoined the team this week, contributing 7 points in 14 minutes in this game.

For the Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 30 points, Aldama added 18, and Coward contributed 17 points. The Grizzlies have been struggling lately, losing 7 of their last 9 games. Their star player Morant is sidelined with a right calf injury, but NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed cautious optimism, suggesting the two-time All-Star may return for the teams’ second meeting in London.

Anthony Black led the Magic with 21 points and also delivered a highlight-reel dunk. The team has won 3 of their last 4 games.

During the game, the Grizzlies built a 20-point lead at 52-32 midway through the second quarter, but the Magic narrowed the gap to 9 points by halftime. Near the end of the third quarter, the Magic went on a 13-0 run to take the lead at 84-73.

The Grizzlies fought back, and with 4 minutes and 5 seconds remaining, G.G. Jackson scored a layup to put Memphis ahead 105-102 again. At the crucial moment, Wagner hit a three-pointer to tie the game and then scored 5 consecutive points in the last 1 minute 39 seconds to secure the Magic’s victory.

The NBA held its first preseason game in then-West Germany in 1984, when the league had only 10 international players on its roster. This season, the number of international players at the start of the NBA reached a record 135, including 71 from Europe. The NBA revealed that tickets for the Germany game were sold to fans from 62 countries, with over 250,000 people registering for tickets via the league’s official website.

The two teams will next move to London for their second matchup of the season.