Aussies Abroad: Landale steers Grizzlies to London victory

Boomers big man Jock Landale has made sure his trip to the English capital for an NBA clash with Orlando was one to remember.

The Memphis centre registered 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in a 126-109 win over the Magic on Sunday night (Monday AEDT) at the O2 Arena.

It was the sixth time in the past eight matches Landale reached double figures in scoring, and it included a rare jam.

The 30-year-old Melburnian only had six points in the Grizzlies' seven-point defeat to the same opposition three days earlier in Berlin.

"The only reason the guys get up for me getting a dunk is because they always give me a hard time that I can't catch lobs," said Landale of his second-quarter slam.

"So whenever I do that it's gotta be an extra celebration to it."

Two-time All Star Ja Morant returned after six games out with a calf injury to lead Memphis with 24 points and 13 assists, while Jaren Jackson Jr. added 17 points in the first NBA regular-season game, and 10th in total, in London since 2019.

Europe is set to host two more regular-season games in 2027 - in Paris and Manchester - while the French and German capitals will again host games in 2028.

"It felt good," Morant said of stepping back on court.

"Especially to be able to do this — first time playing a real overseas game ... I needed it."

Landale's fellow Australians Josh Giddey (hamstring) and Matisse Thybulle (finger) both missed their respective side's victories.

Giddey's Bulls beat Brooklyn 124-102 in Chicago while Thybulle's Portland Trail Blazers saw off the Kings 117-110 in Sacramento.

Compatriot Josh Green had three points and three boards in Charlotte's 110-87 triumph at Denver and Kevin Durant scored 18 points to move into sixth place on the NBA's career points list as hosts Houston beat New Orleans 119-110.

With 15.2 seconds left in the game, Durant stepped to the free throw line needing one point to pass Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki (31,560 points). The 15-time All-Star made both shots and received a standing ovation from the home crowd. Durant now has 31,562 career points, while Michael Jordan (32,292) is fifth.

"To be up there with Dirk, somebody I looked up to, I idolised, I competed against ... it's just insane," Durant said.

"And be right under Michael Jordan, it's crazy man."

LeBron James leads the way with 42,703 points, adding 24 as the Lakers defeated Toronto 110-93 in Los Angeles.