Magic lose to Grizzlies in London, split Europe trip

Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel on Jan 18, 2026

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When the Orlando Magic captured a seven-point victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday in Berlin, Jamahl Mosley‘s squad had to overcome a 20-point first-half deficit to take down Memphis.

Orlando, however, was unable to complete a similar comeback over the Western Conference foe Sunday in London when the Grizzlies jumped out in front by as many as 33 points and never looked back in a 126-109 victory at O2 Arena.

“We didn’t start out the right way,” Mosley said after the 17-point loss. “Similar to the last game where the lead got so far ahead, we couldn’t crawl our way back into this one. They hit some shots but they come out strong and fast in that first quarter.

“We’ve got to understand how we have to come out with that sense of urgency,” he added.

Memphis star Ja Morant made his return to the court after missing the last six games due to a right calf bruise and helped create open shots for other teammates who cut to the basket or were waiting on the perimeter.

Morant not only dished out a game-high 13 assists but also led all scorers with 24 points in 28 minutes.

Playing in the franchise’s third game in London and first since 2016, Anthony Black (19 points), Wendell Carter Jr. (18) and Paolo Banchero (16) combined for 53 points but the Magic allowed 100 points in the first three quarters, lacking the defensive effort needed to slow down the Grizzlies.

Making its London debut, Memphis (18-23) shot 37% from 3-point range compared to Orlando’s 30% showing from distance.

“We’ve just got to get back home (and) lock back in,” Banchero said. “The experience of London was great, and I wish we could have gotten the win.”

The Magic (23-19) return home when they host the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday at Kia Center.

Another slow start

After allowing 39 points in the first quarter in Berlin, the Magic gave up 40 points to the Grizzlies during the first quarter in London.

And it was a similar formula of success for Memphis.

The Grizzlies shot 6 for 11 from 3-point range in the opening 12 minutes (compared to Orlando’s 0 for 7 start) and moved the ball well with 13 assists on 15 made field goals (six assists came from Morant alone).

Orlando also let Memphis extend multiple possessions when it gave up three offensive rebounds that turned into 10 second-chance points.

“You’ve got to give Memphis a ton of credit for the way that they sparked that first quarter, and then from there it was just an uphill battle,” Mosley said. “The things that trended in the two games were our starts.”

Paint points

In addition to missing shots from distance early, the Magic also didn’t help themselves when they couldn’t finish around the rim.

Orlando shot 10 for 17 (58.8%) in the restricted area during the first half (the league average is 66.7%) while Memphis shot 12 for 16 (75%) in the same area on the other end.

As the Magic missed short shots in the paint, the Grizzlies were able to take the ball the other direction and score quickly in transition before Orlando’s defense could get set in the halfcourt.

“There was a lid on the basket for us, especially early in the game in the first half,” Banchero said. “Sometimes the ball just bounces that way.”

By the time the Magic found their footing in the paint (they ended 64% in the restricted area), it was too little, too late.

Wagner update

Moe Wagner was a late scratch due to left knee injury management.

Wagner played 14 minutes Thursday in Berlin, which was only his second game back from missing more than a year due to a torn left ACL.

Rookie watch

After not seeing the court in Berlin, Magic first-round pick Jase Richardson scored five points in nine first-half minutes in London.

The Orlando guard, however, found himself in foul trouble when he picked up his third foul with 33 seconds left in the first half. Still, Richardson made the most of his time on the court finishing with 11 points in 20 minutes with four rebounds and three assists.

Second-round pick Noah Penda saw the court, too, but missed his first two shots from distance, and only played four minutes the first three quarters.

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