Grizzlies win, heckler interrupts anthem

Memphis star Ja Morant led the Grizzlies to a 126-109 NBA victory over the Orlando Magic in London, where the pregame US national anthem was interrupted by a heckler yelling “leave Greenland alone”.

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Memphis Grizzlies' Ja Morant dribbles past Orlando Magic's Jase Richardson. AFP

On a sparkling return from injury, Morant scored 24 points and handed out 13 assists in the showcase clash at the O2 Arena.

“It felt good,” he said of stepping back on court. “Especially to be able to do this — first time playing a real overseas game ... I needed it.”

Excitement was high for the league's 10th regular-season game in London.

But transatlantic tensions flared when a lone heckler yelled “leave Greenland alone” during Vanessa Williams's pregame performance of the US national anthem in a protest at President Donald Trump’s plan to seize control of the autonomous Danish territory.

Videos posted to social media that showed some cheering and applause following the incident quickly went viral.