As the grand finale of Dancing with the Stars looms just hours away, NBA fans find themselves with mixed emotions. For them, the competition ended over a week ago when the electrifying duo of Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach bowed out earlier than expected. After waiting three long years to grace the DWTS stage, Howard’s journey on the show was cut short. But even in elimination, the former NBA champion’s obsession with the coveted Mirror Ball trophy continues to shine in a uniquely Dwight way.

In a recent Instagram post, Howard shared a montage of photos and videos reflecting on his time on DWTS. Among the content, something was intriguing. One clip showed Howard holding a miniature version of the Mirror Ball trophy, a clear nod to his unfulfilled dream. Even more telling was a glimpse of his phone screen, where the words “I’ll win Dancing with the Stars,” were scrawled repeatedly in his notepad app.

The NBA champ and the pro dancer, unfortunately, got eliminated during the milestone 500th episode of “DWTS” on November 12. They performed an Argentine Tango and did fairly but fumbled during the surprise dance event in which they attempted to paso double. However, neither Howard nor Karagach was able to impress the judges and the live audience which fetched them only 22 out of 30 points.

“I learned so much, not just from dancing but how to be a partner. How to listen, really, to your partner, understand what your partner is saying and try to go out and emulate all those different things and really have your partner’s back. All those things are key,” said Howard (as per ABC News).

Their scores landed them on the bottom of the leaderboard with a 48 out of a possible 60 for the night. Even judge Carrie Ann who gave them an 8 points admitted that she couldn’t see the same determination in the NBA player as she did at the beginning of the season. “Everybody was saying the odds [were] against us. We came up short, and that’s what happens in life sometimes,” added Howard.

Despite their poor performance in the 500th episode, the duo was going pretty well in the beginning. During their 6th week performance, which was a Halloween Special night, they performed “Ring Around The Rosie” by District 78 which earned them their first perfect 10 for the season. As DWTS heads into its climactic finale, it’s clear that Howard’s brief stint on the show has left an indelible mark—not only on him but also on the fans who rooted for him. However, it’s not all end for the pro dancer.

Daniella Karagach’s new content career

The celebrated professional dancer has long been a standout on Dancing with the Stars (DWTS). Known for her brilliance on the ballroom floor, she won the Mirror Ball trophy in Season 30 with Iman Shumpert. Moreover, her versatility and creativity even led to an Emmy nomination in 2022 for Outstanding Choreography.

This season, Daniella partnered with former NBA star Dwight Howard, forming a duo that captivated audiences with their charisma and effort. While their journey ended soon, Daniella has been quick to pivot her focus to exciting new ventures. She shared a glimpse of the same through her Instagram story; she is starting a new journey on TikTok by socializing with other moms. “Who wants to be my mom friend? gotta come out now as not so aggressive. Let the playdates begin😍😍😍#backatit #momlife,” read the caption.

The 31-year-old dancer welcomed a baby girl named Nikita last year in May. Given the recent rise in her podcast appearances after teaming up with Howard, this new journey might just be a tad bit easier for Karagach. For Daniella, life after DWTS looks brighter than ever, with new opportunities on the horizon that promise to redefine her career beyond the ballroom.