LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Memphis star Ja Morant led the Grizzlies to a 126-109 National Basketball Association (NBA) victory over the Orlando Magic in London, where the pre-game United States national anthem was interrupted by a heckler yelling “leave Greenland alone.”

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 pre-game 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.

In the game itself, the Grizzlies led by as many as 33 points, seizing control with 40 points in the first quarter.

Memphis has lately made a habit of letting double-digit leads get away, including squandering a 20-point first-half advantage in a loss to Orlando in Berlin on Thursday.

Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said Morant’s energy was a key to preventing the Magic a similar comeback on Sunday.

“His speed, his intensity, his energy level, when he gets on the court he’s a tough guard,” Mosley said. 

“He’s a lightning bolt getting downhill.”