Once the ball went up, the spotlight returned to basketball. The Memphis Grizzlies pulled away to defeat the Orlando Magic in a fast-paced, competitive matchup that kept fans on their feet. The atmosphere proved once again why the NBA continues to invest in overseas games, with future matchups planned for cities like Paris, Berlin, and Manchester as the league grows its global footprint.
In the end, the brief anthem interruption became a viral side note—but the real story was the passion of the crowd, the quality of play, and the NBA’s expanding presence around the world.
What did you think of the moment at the O2 Arena—and should the NBA keep bringing regular-season games to Europe? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below.