The Wagner brothers and Tristan da Silva are putting on a big show at the NBA Berlin Game 2026. The German trio defeated the Memphis Grizzlies with the Orlando Magic.
In the end it was still the Franz Wagner Festival, the almost 14,000 fans in Berlin celebrated their local hero with chants of “MVP, MVP”. In their eagerly awaited home game highlight, Franz and Moritz Wagner achieved the victory they had hoped for despite some start-up problems with the Orlando Magic.
Led by the world champions, the team from Florida won the first regular NBA game on German soil against the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday with 118:111 (58:67).
Franz Wagner scored 18 points in his comeback in the sold-out Uber Arena in Berlin, his brother Moritz put up seven points in the second game after tearing his cruciate ligament and Tristan da Silva, the third German in the Magic jersey, scored eight points. However, Orlando’s best thrower was star player Paolo Banchero (26) in their second win in a row after weeks of ups and downs.
Great euphoria before the game: Franz Wagner was fit in time
Even before the game, everything had revolved around the Wagner brothers’ “homecoming”. The famous sons of Berlin, who themselves bought over 200 tickets for friends and family, have completed a veritable interview marathon since landing on Monday. There were also numerous charity events, a visit to the Brandenburg Gate and fan interactions.
But the most important news came on Thursday afternoon: Franz Wagner had recovered from the ankle sprain he suffered at the beginning of December and was able to celebrate his return in, of all places, his hometown.
“What’s up, Berlin! The last few days here have been unforgettable. We still can’t believe we’re here. Let’s have a blast today,” the 24-year-old shouted to the spectators before tip-off.
After a colorful preliminary program with a lot of fanfare, in which German basketball icons Detlef Schrempf and Dirk Nowitzki, among others, warmed up the audience, Franz Wagner was directly in the starting five for his comeback.
Orlando Magic with a nervous start
In front of the eyes of 2014 world champions Thomas Müller and Mats Hummels as well as Jürgen Klopp, he pushed for his first points, but initially acted poorly. After just under five minutes in the first quarter, the young star made way for da Silva.
When Moritz Wagner came into the game shortly afterwards to great cheers, Orlando had already fallen considerably behind. The Grizzlies, who scored excellently from the three-point line, went on a 15-2 run.
All three Germans finished the opening quarter with zero points, and overall Orlando had an incredibly difficult time offensively at the start. It wasn’t until the start of the second quarter that Franz Wagner redeemed the fans with his first points with a floater, and Moritz immediately followed up with a three-pointer.
Nevertheless, the Wagners continued to look for their rhythm in the rest of the first half, as Silva made the hall sit up and take notice with an alley-oop dunk. Orlando went into the locker room nine points behind.
Orlando Magic inspire with catch-up
After Berlin rapper Luciano’s hip-hop halftime show, Franz Wagner set the tone for the comeback with a converted three-pointer. Orlando then came closer and closer – and moved past in the middle of the third quarter thanks to a 13-0 run and also thanks to important points from Moritz Wagner.
In the final quarter, Franz Wagner thrilled the crowds with a long three-pointer, and a little later the 13,738 spectators happily roared the popular song “Country Roads”, which had already become a hit at NFL football games in Germany. At the end, Memphis caught up again and ensured a highly exciting final phase in which Franz Wagner shone several times.
