The Lapiplasty® 3D Bunion Correction® Pickleball World Championships is well underway and the action was turned up to 11 at 7pm on Nov. 7. NBA legends Dirk Nowitzki and Kris Humphries hit the court with Superbowl champions and NFL stars, Golden Tate, Adrian Peterson, and Terrell Owens. Jenna Bandy, former basketball player and current Guinness World Record holder for fastest American football thrown into a target by a female. 

The celebs had power, fineness, and ample athletic backgrounds to make for a very good show when they paired up with the pickleball pros including Ben Johns, Anna Bright, Tyson McGuffin, Jack Sock, Meghan Dizon, Donald Young, and Genie Bouchard. 

The first match was an NFL vs NBA showdown. Owens and Tate versus Humphries and Nowitzki. Tate was certainly the more knowledgeable and competitive spirit on the court. But most notably, he hit Humphries with a Nasty Nelson at the end of the match — to the shock and delight of spectators and pro athletes.

 

 

 

 

 

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Tate and Owens won game one 7-4.

In game two, Isner partnered up with Ben Johns and Peterson partnered up with Tyson McGuffin. 

This game resulted in quite the blowout with Isner and Johns winning 7-1. Isner has hit the pro pickleball court a few times, and playing alongside Johns, it’s no surprise they took home the victory. 

But the energy and skill level completely elevated when the women hit the court. Bandy paired up with Dizon and they went up against Bouchard and Bright. From this women’s dubs match, there were firefights, hands battles, and some major power shots from Bandy. 

“I’m such a competitive spirit and having power on the pickleball court is everything. I love an overhead shot and I feel like people don’t expect a girl to have that kind of power,” said Bandy. 

Bandy also had no problem targeting Bouchard, who hit her with a shot in the leg and chest. But Bouchard and Bright won 7-2 with the final score. 

Donald Young and Humphries were up next. Their opponents were McGuffin and Owens. Young and Humphries dominated the match with a swift 7-3 score.

Bright and Tate partnered up together against Isner and a player that Isner “randomly selected from the crowd.” That player was Hayden Patriquin incognito. 

This was another highlight match. Between Patriquin and Isner’s height difference, to Tate and Bright’s infectious energy as partners, it was electrifying and pure entertainment. 

Bright and Tate won on a vicious net cord 7-4. 

Then, it was a battle of the sexes. 

Bouchard and Bandy versus Nowitzki and Young. 

Though the women took home the victory 8-5, it was clear that Nowitzki has been putting in some time at the pickleball court after last year’s victory at the Celebrity Showdown alongside Allyce Jones. Nowitzki had some beautiful drives and backhand slice returns that were textbook good pickleball.

“It’s been fun to watch the evolution of the sport. The sport grows from year to year and more people come out to play. And it just shows how big the sport has gotten,” said Nowitzki. 

In Dirk’s final match, Nowitzki and Isner went two on one against Sock. But, Sock tapped in Bright to finish out the match after leading 6-4. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Then, the crowd started chanting “Dirk, Dirk, Dirk!” No surprise, the Dallas locals clearly had a favorite celeb on the court. 

Broadcaster and host Dave Fleming asked Nowitzki, “Did the crowd chanting remind you of your run to an NBA championship?”

“I flipped the switch and the competitor started coming out and it was over. It was fun,” said Nowitzki. And Nowitzki and Isner made a massive comeback 11-10 after fighting off two match points from Bright. 

The final match of the night, Tate and Peterson versus Humphries and Owens inspired Tate to dawn a black cowboy hat. What started out as a 7-0 blowout from Humphries and Owens, called Fleming to extend the game when Tate and Peterson were enthusiastic about making a comeback. 

All the celebrities, pro players, and spectators were on their feet for this last match. But Humphries and Owens won the final victory of the night 11-3. 

The Showdown brought incredible energy and a new level of passion on center court. One thing is for certain, is that former athletes not only love pickleball, they’re also getting really good.