The Orlando Magic staged a thrilling comeback to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies, 118-111, in their NBA Global Games opener held in Berlin on December 7, 2023. The victory marked a significant moment for the Magic, who rallied from a 20-point deficit, led by the impressive performance of Paolo Banchero, who scored 26 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
The match was particularly special for the Wagner brothers, Franz and Moritz, both of whom hail from Berlin. Franz made his much-anticipated return after missing 16 games due to a high-ankle sprain. Despite showing signs of rust, he contributed 18 points—with 13 of those coming in a crucial fourth quarter—and collected nine rebounds, delighting the crowd filled with local supporters.
In an emotional week leading up to the game, Franz expressed his feelings about returning to the court. “Mentally, there was a lot coming into this week. Working back from an injury is never easy, and then it was this game. It was a very emotional week,” he said. Moritz Wagner added seven points to the Magic’s total, while fellow teammate Travis da Silva, born in Munich, contributed eight points.
Ja Morant, the former All-Star player for the Grizzlies, was notably absent from the game due to a minor calf bruise. His absence was felt deeply, as NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressed disappointment that Morant could not participate in such a significant event. “He has a tremendous following globally and I wish he were able to play tonight,” Silver stated. “I’m still holding out hope he’ll be able to play when we are in London on Sunday.”
Morant has missed six consecutive games and is reportedly dealing with speculation regarding a potential trade before the February 5 deadline. Despite his previous statements indicating he hoped to return to action in Berlin or London, he has remained sidelined.
The Grizzlies, however, were not penalized for his absence under the league’s player participation policy, as Morant’s injury was legitimate. The NBA aims for Morant to be back on the court soon, especially with a promotional event for his Nike shoe scheduled in London.
Both Wagners have roots in Berlin, having developed their skills in Alba Berlin’s extensive basketball program before moving on to the University of Michigan and eventually to the NBA. Franz had not played since suffering his injury against the New York Knicks on December 7, while Moritz was seeing limited action this season following knee surgery last year.
Throughout the week leading up to the game, the Wagner brothers hosted their teammates, showcasing their hometown and practicing with youth teams from Alba Berlin. Franz shot 6-of-16 overall, with a notable 3-of-4 from beyond the arc, marking a promising return for the young player.
In another subplot of the game, former Grizzlies player Desmond Bane faced his old team for the first time since being traded to the Magic last summer, contributing 13 points to the victory. Meanwhile, Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with an impressive 30 points.
This exciting match not only highlighted the skills of the Orlando Magic but also showcased the strong basketball culture present in Berlin, as the local fans celebrated their homegrown talent.
