For the first time since the Charlotte Hornets faced the Washington Wizards in a preseason game back in 2008, an NBA matchup returned to Berlin. This time, it featured Ja Morant’s Memphis Grizzlies going head-to-head with **Franz Wagner**’s Orlando Magic in a regular season showdown in the German capital.
With fans eager to witness history in their own backyard, stars like Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero, attracted plenty of attention throughout Berlin. But unsurprisingly, it was the German Wagner brothers who found themselves front and center of it all.
Celebrities courtside
Even with legends like Jürgen Klopp, Mats Hummels and Thomas Müller sitting courtside, and a dominant Banchero finishing the game as the leading scorer with an impressive 26 points and 13 rebounds, the spotlight remained firmly on Franz and Moritz Wagner. That focus felt even more special considering Mo Wagner had only recently returned from an ACL injury that sidelined him for over a year.
The story around the city was their incredibly rare journey together — from kids messing around on the streets of Berlin to professional athletes sharing the court at the highest level of basketball.
Aside from their impact on the court, with Franz posting a strong 18 points and 9 rebounds in Berlin, their connection with the crowd was undeniable. It’s not hard to see why they are so loved and appreciated, not just in Germany, but around the world.
In the days leading up to the game, Franz and his brother took part in multiple fan activations tied to the event. From autograph signings and fan photos to spending time with supporters at the Kickz store in Berlin, they really connected with the community beyond the basketball court.
Whether it was during media day, pregame, postgame or anything in between, all eyes were locked onto the Wagner brothers.
For the Wagner brothers, playing in front of family and friends in a home-like atmosphere, while embracing German culture and the energy of the crowd, made the occasion memorable as the Magic walked off with an impressive 118-111 win over the Grizzlies.