Dwight Howard Has Video Game-Like Debut in Taiwanese Pro League

The eight-time NBA All-Star showed out in a way that has to be seen to be believed.
Dwight Howard Has Video Game-Like Debut in Taiwanese Pro League
Dwight Howard Has Video Game-Like Debut in Taiwanese Pro League /

Eight-time NBA All-Star Dwight Howard made his debut in Taiwan’s T1 League with the Taoyuan Leopards on Saturday and put together a jaw-dropping performance that has to be seen to be believed. 

Howard dropped 38 points on 14-of-32 shooting, which included shooting at a 2-for-10 clip from beyond the arc. He added 25 rebounds, nine assists and four blocks to power the Leopards to a 120–115 victory over New Taipei CTBC DEA.

Howard, 36, was named the player of the game for his efforts, which helped lead Taoyuan back from a double-digit deficit at the start of the fourth quarter. He dominated down the stretch, receiving the ball on most of the Leopards offensive possessions in the closing minutes.

Not only were Howard’s numbers spectacular, but the way in which he racked them up might’ve been even better. The 6-foot-10 center, never known for his game around the perimeter, was seen shooting three-pointers off the dribble and acting as the ball handler in pick-and-roll situations.  

Howard, a three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and multi-time All-NBA selection, announced his decision to play for the Leopards on Instagram on Nov. 7. 

“I have always loved the energy I felt visiting Taiwan as you can see I still have posters hanging up on my walls from my first 2 times visiting!” he wrote. “I’m ready to enjoy life by playing the sport I love in front of a bunch of people that Love me & for my people in Taiwan have your posters ready to welcome yours truly,”

Howard last played in the NBA for the Lakers during the 2021–22 season, his third stint with the team that he won his first and only title with in 2020.

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Zach Koons
ZACH KOONS

Zach Koons is a programming editor at Sports Illustrated who frequently writes about Formula One. He joined SI as a breaking/trending news writer in February 2022 before joining the programming team in 2023. Koons previously worked at The Spun and interned for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He currently hosts the "Bleav in Northwestern" podcast and received a bachelor's in journalism from Northwestern University.