“If there is no struggle, there is no progress,” Dwight Howard once said about his approach to dancing. Despite his drive and determination, however, he won’t be adding a DWTS trophy next to his 2020 NBA championship ring. His journey ended this week, just as the iconic show celebrated its 500th episode, leaving fans heartbroken, yet full of admiration. Following his elimination, Dwight Howard shared a heartfelt message on social media, reflecting on what the experience meant to him.

“Such an honor to be able to be apart of a list of great basketball players that took the step to get out of their comfort zone and dance in front of the world,” he wrote. Howard gave a nod to Iman Shumpert, the only NBA player to win the mirror ball trophy, and added, “I tried to be the next but hopefully another basketball representative from the WNBA or NBA can win it one season.”

This week’s episode offered contestants a twist, as they had just five minutes to prepare a dance style they’d drawn randomly. Howard and his partner, Daniella Karagach, scored 26 out of 30, but it wasn’t enough to save them from elimination. Though he didn’t walk away with the win, his efforts weren’t overlooked.

In response, fans poured out their love and support for Howard on social media, praising his spirit and resilience.

Fans rally behind Dwight Howard after DWTS exit

Howard’s journey on Dancing With the Stars may have ended, but his fans aren’t letting go of the energy he brought to the floor. One fan quickly captured the sentiment, saying, “We love you, Dwight!! You brought such an amazing energy to the show🥹,” while another added, “Sad to see you go, Dwight! You made this season so fun to watch, amazing improvements week after week!!☺☺”

Even his dance partner, Daniella Karagach, echoed the fans’ admiration, proudly stating, “A lot of people said we couldn’t do it, and we did it. And for me, that’s a win.” And Dwight Howard praised his dancing partner Daniella, noting, “I had an amazing experience,” with such “an amazing partner.”

For his part, Howard didn’t just rely on his natural charisma—he put in the work, too. Karagach previously shared a behind-the-scenes clip of him doing wrist mobility drills, an exercise to help with the lifts. Despite Howard’s look of “I’m over it,” he didn’t let up. “That’s not anything crazy,” Karagach teased, to which Howard responded with a playful smirk. His hard work didn’t go unnoticed by fans, with one writing, “You deserved more 😭😭😭,” and another adding, “I loved your dances!! And your positive attitude was refreshing. Keep it up!!!”

But Howard’s commitment was clear all season. He wasn’t shy about the effort he poured into each routine, even admitting he did “homework” to meet Karagach’s standards. That dedication led fans to cheer him on after each performance. “Dwight!! You killed that!! 🥹♥” one fan exclaimed, capturing the excitement Howard’s presence brought to the show each week.

Though Howard’s elimination marked the end of a vibrant journey, fans expressed how much they’d miss him on their Tuesday nights. “I was hoping for the win…or at least top 3💔,” one fan shared, while others lamented his exit as former NFL player Danny Amendola and Olympians Ilona Maher and Stephen Nedoroscik advanced to the next round. For Howard, though, the season’s impact goes beyond trophies—he’s walking away with the respect and admiration of fans everywhere.