World champion Moritz Wagner made his comeback for the Orlando Magic in the NBA professional basketball league after more than a year of suffering – and experienced a narrow victory before the emotional trip to Germany.
The Florida franchise won its home game against the New Orleans Pelicans 128:118 and thus achieved its 22nd win in its 40th game of the season.
Wagner, who tore a cruciate ligament in his left knee in December 2024 and missed the European Championship last summer, among other things, played a total of ten minutes from the bench four days before the “Berlin Game 2026”. He recorded eight points, two rebounds and two assists.
Moritz Wagner: “Emotional guy”
Before the game, the 28-year-old was “very excited,” as he was in the locker room 385 days after his injury FanDuel Sports Network had said: “But I try to tell myself: It’s just another day, another game. But I’m also an emotional guy, it’s a bit scary to think about.”
Wagner reported back just in time for the “home game” in Germany. Next Thursday (7:30 p.m.) the national player will meet the Memphis Grizzlies with Orlando in Berlin’s Uber Arena. Like his brother Franz, Wagner was born in the capital.
However, it is questionable whether Franz Wagner will be able to play at home: the world and European champion was still missing against the Pelicans due to his ankle sprain and was only cheering on the sidelines.
European champion Tristan da Silva was back on the field after his back problems and scored 16 points in 19 minutes.
