Grizzlies beat Magic as NBA returns to London Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant registered 24 points, five rebounds and 13 assists on his return from injury [Getty Images]
The Memphis Grizzlies cruised to a 126-109 victory over the Orlando Magic in the first NBA regular-season match to be hosted in London since 2019.
The Grizzlies, who have struggled for consistency this season, raced into early domination at the O2 Arena, leading by 17 points late into the first quarter.
From there it became an even contest, with the score difference varying little in the last three quarters and the Magic's hopes of a fightback limited by the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies were inspired by star point guard Ja Morant on his return from an ankle sprain that resulted in him missing six matches. His name received the loudest cheer from the London crowd before the tip-off.
Morant put up 20 points in the first half, 15 of which came in the second quarter.
He was only due to make a limited appearance on his return but played for 28 minutes as he scored 24 points, with team-mate Jock Landale adding 21 from the bench.
Wendell Carter Jr impressed for the Magic with 18 points, while team-mate Paolo Banchero added 16 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in a 36-minute outing.
The return to London was the second part of a double-header between the two sides, with the Magic beating the Grizzles 118-111 on Thursday in Berlin.
NBA glam comes to London
Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice was among the many footballers in attendance [Getty Images]
As part of the stardom that the NBA attracts, courtside was full of famous faces, including footballers Virgil van Dijk and Declan Rice, Formula One driver Kimi Antonelli and actress Rosamund Pike.
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was also sat in close proximity to the Orlando bench throughout the match, alongside NBA legend Tony Parker.
Both Henry and Pike received cheers from the crowd in atmosphere akin to that of an American game at times. An even better atmosphere would have likely come had it been a more even contest.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was shown on screen, met with a huge chorus of boos, which quickly turned to cheers when the camera swiftly switched to show former Real Madrid and Brazil footballer Marcelo.
Ahead of tip-off, NBA greats John Amaechi and Steve Nash both addressed the crowd on court, with Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama, of the Magic and Grizzlies respectively, also thanking the fans for their support.
American singer Vanessa Williams sung the US national anthem before the game, but was interrupted by one shout in the crowd of "leave Greenland alone" amid Donald Trump's threats to take over the Danish territory.
What next for the NBA in Europe?
A sellout crowd of 18,424 were in attendance at the NBA's first regular-season match in London in seven years [Getty Images]
A win for Memphis in London marks the end of the NBA's two-match stay in Europe.
In 2027, Manchester will host its first regular-season match, joining up with Paris to host a double-header next January. Paris and Berlin will both host matches in 2028.
Long term, the NBA has plans to launch an independent European league that could start as early as the 2027-28 campaign, with conversations currently ongoing with potential investors, sponsors and stakeholders over how that could look.
The NBA has faced resistance from EuroLeague, the continent's current primary club competition.
EuroLeague has threatened the NBA with legal action, should it approach any current EuroLeague clubs over joining the formation of a new division.
Real Madrid and Alba Berlin both played in last season's EuroLeague. While Real Madrid remain a EuroLeague team, Alba Berlin withdrew from the competition after 24 years at the start of this season. Both are understood to be open to joining NBA Europe.
By the time Manchester's Co-op Live hosts an NBA match next January, there will be a much clearer picture over if the league is happening, how it will look and when it is expected to launch.
Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant registered 24 points, five rebounds and 13 assists on his return from injury [Getty Images]
The Memphis Grizzlies cruised to a 126-109 victory over the Orlando Magic in the first NBA regular-season match to be hosted in London since 2019.
The Grizzlies, who have struggled for consistency this season, raced into early domination at the O2 Arena, leading by 17 points late into the first quarter.
From there it became an even contest, with the score difference varying little in the last three quarters and the Magic’s hopes of a fightback limited by the Grizzlies.
The Grizzlies were inspired by star point guard Ja Morant on his return from an ankle sprain that resulted in him missing six matches. His name received the loudest cheer from the London crowd before the tip-off.
Morant put up 20 points in the first half, 15 of which came in the second quarter.
He was only due to make a limited appearance on his return but played for 28 minutes as he scored 24 points, with team-mate Jock Landale adding 21 from the bench.
Wendell Carter Jr impressed for the Magic with 18 points, while team-mate Paolo Banchero added 16 points, eight rebounds and nine assists in a 36-minute outing.
The return to London was the second part of a double-header between the two sides, with the Magic beating the Grizzles 118-111 on Thursday in Berlin.
NBA glam comes to London
Arsenal and England midfielder Declan Rice was among the many footballers in attendance [Getty Images]
As part of the stardom that the NBA attracts, courtside was full of famous faces, including footballers Virgil van Dijk and Declan Rice, Formula One driver Kimi Antonelli and actress Rosamund Pike.
Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry was also sat in close proximity to the Orlando bench throughout the match, alongside NBA legend Tony Parker.
Both Henry and Pike received cheers from the crowd in atmosphere akin to that of an American game at times. An even better atmosphere would have likely come had it been a more even contest.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was shown on screen, met with a huge chorus of boos, which quickly turned to cheers when the camera swiftly switched to show former Real Madrid and Brazil footballer Marcelo.
Ahead of tip-off, NBA greats John Amaechi and Steve Nash both addressed the crowd on court, with Desmond Bane and Santi Aldama, of the Magic and Grizzlies respectively, also thanking the fans for their support.
American singer Vanessa Williams sung the US national anthem before the game, but was interrupted by one shout in the crowd of “leave Greenland alone” amid Donald Trump’s threats to take over the Danish territory.
What next for the NBA in Europe?
A sellout crowd of 18,424 were in attendance at the NBA’s first regular-season match in London in seven years [Getty Images]
A win for Memphis in London marks the end of the NBA’s two-match stay in Europe.
In 2027, Manchester will host its first regular-season match, joining up with Paris to host a double-header next January. Paris and Berlin will both host matches in 2028.
Long term, the NBA has plans to launch an independent European league that could start as early as the 2027-28 campaign, with conversations currently ongoing with potential investors, sponsors and stakeholders over how that could look.
The NBA has faced resistance from EuroLeague, the continent’s current primary club competition.
EuroLeague has threatened the NBA with legal action, should it approach any current EuroLeague clubs over joining the formation of a new division.
Real Madrid and Alba Berlin both played in last season’s EuroLeague. While Real Madrid remain a EuroLeague team, Alba Berlin withdrew from the competition after 24 years at the start of this season. Both are understood to be open to joining NBA Europe.
By the time Manchester’s Co-op Live hosts an NBA match next January, there will be a much clearer picture over if the league is happening, how it will look and when it is expected to launch.
