Although it’s been two weeks since the show ‘Dancing with the Stars’ has wrapped up its 33rd season, some moments still linger in the hearts of fans. For NBA enthusiasts, the show ended weeks ago when their beloved Dwight Howard was eliminated just an episode before the finale on November 12. While the disappointment of his departure stung, a playful wish from his DWTS partner, Daniella Karagach, has offered a spark of joy.

Recently, Karagach took to Instagram to share a cheeky yet heartfelt message. Alongside a snapshot of the two, she wrote, “Happy Birthday old man, love ya!” This playful quip poked fun at Howard’s age who turned 39 this year, celebrated him with a wink rather than a candle-laden cake.

At first, Howard’s professional dancer Karagach was worried about how they would work together because she is 5-feet-three and the NBA champion is 6-feet-ten. But everything worked out in the end and even they turned out to be best friends.

“Can’t believe, just a few weeks ago we were strangers, now we are bf’s working hard and inspiring millions together… It’s been weeks of pain, sweat, tears, and joy but most importantly the camaraderie we formed is unmatched. Can’t wait to take the floor again on Tuesday 🙏🏾🪩 #dwts,” wrote Howard as the caption of an Instagram post.

Unfortunately, on November 12, during the 500th episode of “DWTS,” their fluid performance faltered. They faltered when they tried a paso double during the surprise dance event. As a result, the pair received the lowest score of the evening 22 out of 30, and had to be eliminated.

“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).

In the end, Howard’s DWTS stint may not have included a Mirrorball Trophy, but it gifted fans moments to cherish. Now the duo has found their own niches where they are focusing, with Howard trying for an NBA return and Karagach venturing into the podcast world, yet the legacy of their time on the show remains vibrant. Moreover, this wasn’t the only boost he got this week.

Dwight Howard received appreciation for another show

Howard’s elimination from Dancing With the Stars (DWTS) left the NBA legend visibly disheartened. He shared his emotions openly, posting Instagram reels and messages on his phone that depicted his desire to win the coveted Mirrorball Trophy. Fans also saw numerous nostalgic posts where Howard fondly recalled his time on DWTS, reflecting his passion for the experience despite his short run on the show. However, Howard’s spirit found a new avenue for joy and appreciation.

The former NBA player got an unexpected recognition from Phil Rosenthal, creator and host of the hit Netflix food travel series Somebody Feed Phil. The food enthusiast shared a series of pictures on his Instagram after being inspired by this year’s Spotify-wrapped, which showed fan-favorite moments from his show. From the series, Howard was chosen to be included in the ‘favorite guest appearance’ category.

Howard was a part of this show when he played for the Taoyuan Leopards in the T1 League. Together with Rosenthal, he was amazed by Michelin restaurants, teahouses in Jiufen, and fruit ice in Ximending. Despite the DWTS setback, this was a moment that gave Howard a chance to cherish.