Site Products
NBA (table tennis) Update

NBA (table tennis) Update

(by Steve Hopkins)

When the NBA restarts the professional basketball season on July 30, it will be under strict lockdown rules that are designed to keep the players, staff, and families separated and safe.  The protected area is being called the NBA’s “bubble”.  The NBA released over a 100 page set of health protocols for NBA players and staff – and table tennis is featured prominently.

Since being cordoned off in the “bubble” on July 7, videos have been published showing players enjoying table tennis as a part of their relaxation. Donovan Mitchell posted on Saturday about an artistic paddle in the NBA lounges with a social justice theme in honor of  US Representative and and Civil Rights leader John Lewis (who passed away this week).

Among the videos that have made it to social media, are two Orlando Magic players (its tough to tell in masks, but perhaps Aaron Gordon and DJ Augustin), and 76ers Furkan Kormaz and Matisse Thybulle,

And there were several tweets about San Antonio’s Derrick White saying in an interview that “we have a ping pong tournament tomorrow, that’s my main focus… after this practice of course”  Incidentally, the San Antonia Spurs ping pong tournament was won this morning by Kelly Forbes, their Athletic Development Coach.  *The photo below is of Forbes holding the spray can of Lysol that was given to him as a prize.

Image

Perhaps the most watched ping pong video thus far is the one posted by Utah Jazz point guard Donovan Mitchell which showed off his skills (and a very nice forehand smash) against Small Forward Royce O’Neale.  Almost 300,000 people have watched the video – Donovan’s description is “Best ping pong player in the bubble”.

You can watch the full video here on Twitter.

Check in with ButterflyOnline.com for table tennis news and information.

Latest News

Playing Kids

July 8, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Let’s face it; they’re probably faster than you. They might have a coach working with… Read More

#2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down The Line

July 7, 2025
[[Feature] [Special Feature] American Stars! Jha’s Strengths #2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down… Read More

United States Smash: Tight Scores and a Big Upset in Early Action

July 7, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Action is underway in the main round of the United States Smash, the… Read More

MLTT Featured Team: Bay Area Blasters

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Bay Area Blasters plan to blast through the upcoming Major League Table… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Established in 2002, Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association (CUSTTA) is Alberta’s largest Table Tennis… Read More

Butterfly Players Shine at the 2025 US National Table Tennis Championships

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) The 2025 U.S. National Table Tennis Championships is one of the premiere annual… Read More

US Nationals Recap

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The US National Table Tennis Championships is in the books.  One of America’s premiere events… Read More

United States Smash: Qualifiers are Finished and the Main Draw Begins Today

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) Americans made waves in the qualifying rounds of the United States Smash, the… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.