The weather was warm in Phoenix for the DoorDash MLP Phoenix event, but the Dallas Flash were even hotter. They came in undefeated, and they are leaving Phoenix still undefeated. Six other teams were in action with a chance to separate themselves from the pack, be it in a good way or a bad way.

 

 

The big story in Phoenix was the continuing domination of the defending champion Flash. They began MLP Phoenix with an 8-0 record and they finished MLP Phoenix 14-0, running off six wins, all in regulation. Dallas was 20-4 in games won in their six matches. Jorja Johnson ran her personal record up to 26-2! She is winning an absolutely ridiculous 73.75% of points she has played. Johnson played extremely well in helping Dallas to win MLP 2024, but she has taken it up another notch in 2025. The season still has over half to go, but at this point, Johnson would win the MVP award.

 

 

 

Brooklyn came into MLP Phoenix with a mediocre 2-3 start to the season. But, they showed their roster is playoff caliber, going 5-1, only losing to Dallas. Brooklyn won its other five matches without need of a single DreamBreaker, netting an all-important 15 points in the team standings. It was a total team effort by Brooklyn. Dekel Bar, Rachel Rohrabacher, and Jackie Kawamoto all sport identical 15-7 records. Riley Newman sits at 13-7, having missed the last match against Phoenix with an injury. Veteran Pat Smith filled in, and played very solid pickleball, including a highlight reel ATP that drew a well-deserved roar from the capacity crowd. The entire Brooklyn team played solidly, but Kawamoto stood out with great defense and very smart play all weekend. Brooklyn is now solidly in position to make the playoffs, probably as a #5 seed.

 

 

 

MLP Phoenix was hosted by the Phoenix Flames. They had a big crowd behind them all event, but could not turn it into a winning formula on the court. Genie Bouchard was targeted by the opposing teams and had trouble keeping up. Phoenix was able to score only two points in their six matches, winning only an exciting 21-19 DreamBreaker over Atlanta. Will Phoenix make a move and replace Bouchard? Alex Walker did fill in for Bouchard in their first match in Phoenix and played competently. We could well see Walker get more playing time in the future.

 

 

 

The other four teams participating in MLP Phoenix were Utah, Atlanta, LA, and SoCal. LA netted 11 points, keeping themselves well positioned for a playoff spot. Utah was next with 9 points, which keeps them hanging around the playoff cut line. Atlanta and SoCal brought up the rear, each with only four points, and both teams are currently out of contention for a playoff spot. There is enough time left in the season for a comeback, but at this point, things do not look good for Atlanta or SoCal.

 

 

Next up is MLP Daytona Beach. It will begin Thursday, June 5. St. Louis and New Jersey will both be in action in Daytona Beach, although they will not play each other. Those two teams will look to sweep the matches they play in order to keep pace with red-hot Dallas. Daytona Beach marks the halfway point of the MLP 2025 season and we should have a pretty good picture of the likely playoff teams coming out of that event. Tune in to Pickleballtv to see all the action.

 

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