BERLIN — The NBA crossed another frontier on Wednesday night as the Orlando Magic and Memphis Grizzlies took the court at Mercedes-Benz Arena for the first regular-season game ever played in Germany. The historic matchup represented the latest chapter in the league's ambitious European expansion, bringing top-tier professional basketball to one of the continent's most passionate sports markets.

For German basketball fans who have long watched from afar, the moment carried enormous significance. The country that produced Dirk Nowitzki, one of the greatest international players in NBA history, finally hosted the real thing — not an exhibition, not a preseason tune-up, but a game that counts in the standings.

Paolo Banchero, the Magic's young star and former number one overall pick, headlined the Orlando roster as the franchise looked to build momentum in what has been a promising season. The 22-year-old forward has established himself as one of the league's brightest talents, and the international stage provided another opportunity to showcase his versatile skill set to a global audience.

On the Memphis side, Jaren Jackson Jr. anchored the Grizzlies' efforts in what proved to be a challenging circumstance. The team traveled to Europe without their dynamic point guard Ja Morant, who was sidelined with a right calf contusion. Morant's absence deprived German fans of the chance to witness one of the NBA's most electrifying performers, but Jackson and his teammates pressed forward regardless.

The Berlin game represents just the beginning of a packed European schedule for both franchises. In a unique arrangement, the Magic and Grizzlies will meet again on Sunday in London, giving fans on both sides of the English Channel the opportunity to experience NBA basketball in person. The back-to-back transatlantic games are part of a three-year slate of NBA contests planned for European venues, signaling the league's serious commitment to growing its international footprint.

Commissioner Adam Silver has made global expansion a cornerstone priority, and the German market holds particular appeal. Basketball enjoys considerable popularity in the country, with a strong domestic league and a deep well of homegrown talent that continues to produce NBA-caliber players. By bringing regular-season games to Berlin, the league hopes to deepen those connections and cultivate the next generation of European fans.

The atmosphere inside Mercedes-Benz Arena reflected the magnitude of the occasion. German supporters, many wearing jerseys of their favorite NBA stars, filled the seats to capacity. The energy matched anything one might find in Orlando or Memphis, a testament to the universal appeal of basketball at its highest level.

For the Magic and Grizzlies, the European trip presents both opportunities and challenges. Playing meaningful games while navigating international travel and time zone adjustments is no small task, particularly with the Grizzlies managing Morant's injury situation from abroad. Yet both organizations embraced the ambassador role, understanding that moments like these extend far beyond wins and losses.

As the final buzzer sounded in Berlin, one thing was certain: NBA basketball had officially arrived in Germany. The league that started in American gymnasiums nearly eight decades ago now spans the globe, and Wednesday's historic contest in the German capital proved that the appetite for professional basketball knows no borders. With London awaiting on Sunday, the Magic and Grizzlies will write another page in the NBA's international story.