Grizzlies Defeat Magic 126-109 as Ja Morant Scores 24 in London Return
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LONDON — Ja Morant posted 24 points and 13 assists in his first game back, guiding the Memphis Grizzlies to a 126-109 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday at the O2 Arena, the NBA’s first regular-season contest in London since 2019.
Memphis built a 33-point lead in the opening half and never trailed. Orlando trimmed the margin to 17 when Paolo Banchero hit a three-pointer with 8:15 remaining, but the Grizzlies controlled the final minutes to secure the victory.
Jock Landale supplied 21 points and eight rebounds, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 points for Memphis. The win avenged the Grizzlies’ 118-111 loss to the Magic in Berlin on Thursday, the first game of the teams’ European doubleheader.
Anthony Black led Orlando with 19 points. Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 18 points and seven rebounds, and Banchero closed with 16 points on 7-of-20 shooting, nine assists, and eight rebounds.
Sunday’s matchup marked the 10th NBA regular-season game held in London; the inaugural game in the city was played on March 4, 2011. The league plans to stage additional European games in 2027—one in Paris and another in Manchester, England—and will return to Paris and Berlin for matchups in 2028.
Source: ESPN
