Dwight Howard took a swing at a new sport. Known for his powerful dunks and defense, the 3x Defensive Player of the Year has always commanded attention on the court, continuing to dominate while playing for the Taoyuan Leopards. After impressing fans with his lesser-known skills on Dancing With the Stars, DH12 landed in Miami for a big splash. However, despite winning the first important round, he couldn’t achieve the noble aim behind his visit.

Some of the biggest names in entertainment and sports gathered at Art Basel in Miami for the Celsius Padel Classic, and Howard was among them. Teaming up with American DJ and music producer Diplo, Howard was set to face off against Matt Halper and Eli Sones of the musical duo Two Friends. 

For those unable to attend, glimpses of the event were shared on the brand’s official Instagram page. In one snippet, Howard and Diplo who picked “tails” won the toss. And despite their spirited performance, with Diplo humorously calling himself the “Goat of padele” on his IG and Howard delivering dominant skills, the duo lost to Two Friends. 

The $25,000 prize for the racket sport, which blends elements of tennis, squash, and badminton, was donated to the non-profit Let’s F Cancer, focusing on prevention and early detection of the disease. The brand’s official IG shared a snap of Two Friends holding the check for prize money and captioned, “ OUR CHAMPS $25,000 BRING DONATED TO “LETS F CANCER.”

Howard may have lost the matchup in this new sport, but his powerful performance was commendable just like the effort he put into his dance journey.

DWTS experience was holistic for Dwight Howard

Howard’s impressive stint on the celebrity dance competition show was not only stunning but also a new experience. The former Lakers star claimed that it proved helpful in many ways. Speaking about his 8-9 hour-long practice sessions, Howard revealed that these sessions helped him get back in shape.

“It’s really got me in shape like I’m in basketball shape,” the former Orlando Magic player Howard told Shannon Sharpe on Nightcap. He added, “And I haven’t run no sprints, I haven’t done no, well I’ve been doing a lot of jumping, she had me jump over her almost every day just to get my legs and everything moving so it’s pretty good.” 

He learned how to connect with his dance partner, and overall, it was an unforgettable experience—one of the best decisions he’s ever made. Despite getting close, Howard and his dance partner, Daniella Karagach, didn’t qualify for the semi-finals. While the basketball legend clearly misses his DTWS days as much as his fans, he promised that this won’t be the last time he dances. And it certainly was not his final appearance for his followers.