Ja Morant returned from a six-game absence to lead the Memphis Grizzlies to a 126-109 victory over the Orlando Magic at The O2 on Sunday, marking the first NBA game in London since 2019.
The point guard finished with 24 points and 13 assists in 28 minutes and was operating under a minutes restriction before the game after missing time with a right calf injury.
Memphis set the tone early, building a commanding first-half lead behind Morant’s pace and ball movement. He produced 20 points and 10 assists before halftime as the Grizzlies expanded the margin to 33.
The Western Conference club shot 53 percent from the field and controlled the paint and glass, matching Orlando with 42 rebounds and turning defense into transition scores.
Jock Landale had 21 points and eight rebounds off the bench, providing efficient interior scoring on 9-for-11 shooting. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 points and two blocks and anchored the defense during decisive stretches.
Memphis also avenged a 118-111 loss to Orlando in Berlin on Thursday, the opener of the teams’ European doubleheader, by tightening rotations and limiting opportunities for second chances.
Orlando narrowed the deficit in the fourth quarter after Paolo Banchero scored a 3-pointer to make it 108-91 with 8:15 to go. The magic came no closer as Memphis closed with a steady execution.
Anthony Black led Orlando with 19 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. Recorded 18 points and seven rebounds. Banchero recorded 16 points on 7-of-20 shooting, along with nine assists and eight boards.
Franz Wagner scored 14 points in his second game back after a five-week absence due to a high ankle sprain. The Magic struggled from deep, hitting 10 of 33 attempts.
The London game was the 10th NBA regular season game played in the city, with future European games scheduled for Paris and Manchester in 2027 and Paris and Berlin in 2028.
Orlando, seventh in the Eastern Conference at 23-19, returns home to host the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday. Memphis, 18-23 and 11th in the West, hosts the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday as it looks to build momentum after dropping seven of its previous nine.
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