BERLIN - The Orlando Magic made history on Thursday night, rallying from a 20-point deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 118-111 in the first-ever NBA regular-season game played on German soil. The electrifying comeback at Uber Arena showcased the kind of resilience that has defined Orlando's season and gave the 17,000 fans in attendance a night they will never forget.

The Grizzlies came out firing, building a commanding lead before halftime that threatened to turn the historic occasion into a one-sided affair. Memphis, playing without star guard Ja Morant due to a right calf contusion, relied heavily on Jaren Jackson Jr., who was scorching hot from the field in the opening quarters and finished the night with a game-high 30 points.

But the second half belonged entirely to Orlando. The Magic erupted for a dominant 26-12 third quarter, completely shifting the momentum and setting up a thrilling fourth-quarter battle. The German crowd, which had fallen silent during the early Memphis onslaught, roared back to life as the home continent team clawed its way back into contention.

The defining moment came with 2:27 remaining in the game. With the score knotted at 107, Anthony Black rose up and delivered a thunderous poster dunk over four Memphis defenders that sent Uber Arena into absolute pandemonium. The play instantly became an iconic moment in NBA international history and gave Orlando the lead they would not relinquish.

Paolo Banchero was magnificent in orchestrating the comeback, finishing with 26 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals in a complete all-around performance. Black complemented him brilliantly with 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. Franz Wagner, one of three German-born players on the Magic roster along with his brother Moritz and teammate Tristan da Silva, added 18 points and 9 rebounds in an emotional homecoming performance that marked his first game action in over a month.

The atmosphere inside the arena was particularly charged given the presence of the three German Magic players. The Wagner brothers and da Silva had spoken all week about how much this game meant to them, and they delivered for their countrymen when it mattered most.

For Memphis, the second-half collapse was a bitter pill to swallow. After their blistering start, the Grizzlies shot just 33.3 percent from the field in the second half, unable to maintain their offensive rhythm without their floor general Morant directing traffic. Jackson Jr. did everything he could to will his team to victory, but the Magic's defensive adjustments and offensive execution down the stretch proved too much.

The NBA Berlin Game marks the beginning of a three-year slate of regular-season games in Europe. The league has announced future matchups in Manchester and Paris in 2027, followed by Berlin and Paris again in 2028. Commissioner Adam Silver expressed disappointment that Morant could not participate but praised the event's success in growing the game globally.

The two teams will meet again on Sunday at London's O2 Arena, where Morant is expected to return to action. For now, though, the Magic can savor a comeback victory that will be remembered as a landmark moment in the NBA's international expansion.