Written by Skye Slatcher
Not a thrilling game for the London crowd as the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Orlando Magic with a final score of 126-109.
Despite a disappointing season so far, the Grizzlies dominated the game, building a lead that was never really under threat. The Magic’s hope of any comeback was limited, with Ja Morant back on the court to ‘inspire’ his team (as some commentators put it). After missing six games with a calf injury, Morant produced an impressive all-round performance, putting up 24 points and 13 assists in 28 minutes. He also appeared keen to rehabilitate his reputation and win over the London crowd.
The Magic were not doing well. They have several great players, but they seem to be consistently playing in a system that makes them look worse than they really are. Throughout the game, they did not do well on offense, not able to find the easy shots. One Magic fan commented that they ‘need to play as a team and score more points’ — a pretty scathing indictment of their current state. With issues evident to all, a significant rethink may be required in the Orlando camp.
The game itself was at the O2 Arena, but just next door at Magazine was NBA House — a huge fan activation, with games, photo ops, and crucially, a watch party. It was totally free to enter and enjoy. The watch party was a fun event with entertainment during the breaks, including three-pointer competitions, tricks from some NBA freestylers, and a performance by the Barjots Dunkers. It was a great time, and I now have a special NBA Revolut card!
The London game, along with the Berlin fixture earlier this week, both mark the ongoing expansion of the NBA into Europe, working on developing the global basketball scene alongside FIBA (The International Basketball Federation).The wider event felt less like a one-off match and more like a celebration of the NBA’s history, its star power, and its expanding international reach, a promising sign for European audiences. The players also seemed to have loved their time in London, with Jaren Jackson Jr telling the BBC, “We were here to perform and I’m glad everyone had a great time. We’ve been embraced since we’ve been here in Berlin and in London. This is definitely a place I’d love to revisit.” In 2027, the NBA will be coming back to Europe for a double-header in Paris and Manchester. Paris and Berlin will host in 2028.
In the long term, the NBA is planning to launch a European league that could be up and running as early as the 2027–28 season. Conversations are ongoing in terms of what this would actually look like. So far, it seems that an important part of their plan will be tapping into football culture, with hopes that Real Madrid, Barcelona, and PSG basketball teams will all join the new league. Resistance from the existing EuroLeague has been strong, so it remains to be seen how further negotiations will continue over the next few months.
In the meantime, the London Lions continue repping the London basketball scene, and the NBA gears up for the All-Star game on 15 February in LA.
