- Dwight Howard made his "Dancing With The Stars" debut on Tuesday night, as Season 33 premiered. The former NBA star entered the competition with an inherited disadvantage: There's more than a foot-and-a-half difference between him and partner Daniella Karagach, who stands at 5-foot-3.
Height be damned, though, as the All-Star center delivered one of the best performances of the night.
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Dwight Howard receives 55-minute standing ovation in my living room by me for his #DWTS debut
— claire (@claire_hickeyy) September 18, 2024
The duo danced to "This Is How We Do It" and earned a 22 out of 30, the second-highest score. Right behind Howard was another former athlete, former NFL wide receiver Danny Amendola.
"Daniella Karagach choreographing the perfect first dance for Dwight Howard," one fan wrote on X. "She won with Iman Shumpert and she now is choreographing to Dwight's strengths. Love when my sports world and former dancer world collides."
Dwight Howard and Daniella Karagach left the evening with the second best score on Dancing With the Stars (@DwightHoward)
As the above post alluded to, Karagach is no stranger to being partnered with a former NBA player. She worked with Iman Shumpert, and the two went on to win the entire season in 2021. That was where she showcased her ability to work with someone much taller than her, as Shumpert stands at 6-foot-5.
Have never been the biggest Dwight Howard fan, but you cannot deny how impressive he was tonight on "Dancing With The Stars."
— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) September 18, 2024
https://x.com/notpunnyhunny/status/1836214038444884327
"Dwight Howard Salsa was sensational," another X user commented. "He gave us the best salsa of the night! He got the great hips & he nailed all of the lifts! Dwight lifted Daniella with ease! He's a top contender for the Mirrorball! He also got an eight for this incredible dance!"
When he was announced as a cast member earlier in the month, Howard called it an "honor" to be paired with a former Mirror Ball Trophy winner. During their training sessions before their first dance, Karagach wrote on Instagram that the former Orlando Magic big man has "already become one of my favorites to work with."
"Daniella Karagach and Dwight Howard are WINNING this season easily," another DWTS fan wrote on X. "Her choreo and their chemistry is unmatched - AMAZING!!"
Through one episode, it appears this unique team-up may actually have a shot at winning the whole thing. Howard hopes to become the second former NBA player to win the show and join a list of former athlete winners that includes Rashad Jennings (NFL), Laurie Hernandez (gymnastics), and Donald Driver (NFL), among others.
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