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Once the game began, attention returned to the sport. The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Orlando Magic in a lively contest that delighted fans who had waited years for another NBA regular-season game in the United Kingdom. The league has announced plans to continue hosting international fixtures in cities such as Manchester, Paris, and Berlin over the next few seasons, expanding basketball’s global reach. While the brief interruption of the anthem became a memorable footnote, the evening ultimately centered on athletic performance, shared excitement, and the continuing growth of international sports connections — a reminder that even when unexpected moments arise, the game itself remains the main event.
