Morant orchestrates a dominant win, dropping 24 points and 13 assists in London. Grizzlies rout Magic with a record-setting first half performance.
Ja Morant did not ease his way back onto the floor. He took control. In his return to the lineup, Morant delivered one of the most efficient and commanding performances of his career, finishing with 24 points, five rebounds, and 13 assists in just 28 minutes as the Memphis Grizzlies rolled past the Orlando Magic 126-109 on Sunday at London’s O2 Arena.
The game marked the NBA’s first regular-season contest in London since 2019 and served as a decisive response to Memphis’ loss to Orlando earlier in the week in Berlin.
Morant set the tone immediately. He scored or assisted on 44 of Memphis’ 72 first-half points, piling up 20 points and 10 assists before halftime without committing a turnover. By the break, the Grizzlies had effectively broken the game open, at one point leading by as many as 33 points as Morant carved up Orlando’s defense with sharp reads, quick decisions, and confident shooting.
The performance placed Morant in rare company. He became the first player in Grizzlies franchise history to record at least 20 points and 10 assists in a single half during the play-by-play era, which dates back to the 1997–98 season. It was also the sixth time in NBA history a player has recorded a 20-point, 10-assist game in fewer than 30 minutes, underscoring both the efficiency and pace at which he dictated the game.
Morant finished 7-of-13 from the field and knocked down 3 of 4 attempts from beyond the arc, showcasing a balance of controlled drives and perimeter confidence. He debuted a Swarovski x Nike Ja 3 sneaker collaboration during the game, adding another layer of visibility to a performance that drew loud reactions from the international crowd.
Morant said the response from fans resonated deeply as he returned to action on a global stage.
“Just the love,” Morant said. “I’m able to see not only I got love back home, but I got it here too. Fans constantly calling my name and cheering when I score. That’s big time.”
Memphis head coach Tuomas Iisalo pointed to Morant’s leadership and tempo as the foundation for the Grizzlies’ sharp start.
“His energy was contagious,” Iisalo said. “He did a great job quarterbacking the team. Setting up guys for success early in the game. Pushing the pace, sharing the ball, which snowballed into a great team effort also. It gives the group a ton of confidence to have him back.”
The Grizzlies’ supporting cast benefitted from Morant’s orchestration. Jock Landale scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds, consistently finding space inside as Orlando collapsed toward the ball. Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 points as Memphis maintained balance throughout the rotation and never allowed the Magic to regain control.
Orlando made a brief push late in the fourth quarter, trimming the deficit to 17 on a Paolo Banchero three-pointer with just over eight minutes remaining, but the outcome was never seriously in doubt. Memphis steadied the game and closed efficiently, mirroring the control it established early.
Anthony Black led the Magic with 19 points, while Wendell Carter Jr. finished with 18 points and seven rebounds. Banchero recorded 16 points, nine assists and eight rebounds but shot 7-of-20 from the field against Memphis’ pressure and pace.
Magic head coach Jamahl Mosley acknowledged Morant’s immediate impact following his return.
“He’s a lightning bolt getting downhill,” Mosley said.
Sunday’s performance served as a reminder of how different Memphis looks with Morant on the floor. In a season marked by interruptions and uncertainty, his London return provided clarity — not just in the box score, but in how decisively the Grizzlies controlled the game from the opening minutes.