Dallas Flash Remain Undefeated: Edward Jones MLP Phoenix Recap

The second of three consecutive Major League Pickleball (MLP) events recently concluded, with the Dallas Flash emerging victorious. The Edward Jones MLP Phoenix event took place from Thursday, May 29, to Sunday, June 1, at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Arizona.

This Premier Level competition featured seven teams, each facing off against every other team once in a round-robin format. Over the course of four days, a total of 21 matches were played, with each team participating in six matches.

Team Results and Standings

The Dallas Flash dominated the event, securing all 18 possible points. This impressive performance solidified their position in the second seed of the 2025 MLP Season standings. The Flash now boasts a record of 14 matches played, accumulating 40 points, which translates to an average of 2.86 points per match (ppm).

Interestingly, the St. Louis Shock maintains a slight lead over the Flash in the overall standings. With 8 matches played and 23 points earned, the Shock averages 2.88 ppm, just edging out the Flash.

The Flash’s near-perfect record this season has only seen them drop two points – one to St. Louis and another to the New Jersey 5s, both of which are among the top three teams in the league.

Standout Performances and Key Moments

Led by the exceptional Jorja Johnson, the Dallas Flash demonstrated their prowess throughout the event. Their most challenging match came on the final day against the LA Mad Drops. Despite an uncharacteristic 11-3 loss in the women’s doubles, where Jorja and Tyra faced their first defeat of the season, the Flash men’s team of JW and Augie secured a tight 12-10 victory. The mixed doubles matches that followed were smooth sailing for the Flash, with convincing 11-3 and 11-4 wins.

What sets the Flash apart is their well-rounded team composition. While the men’s team has faced some unexpected losses in recent events, going 1-3 in MLP Austin and losing to the Phoenix Flames men in MLP Phoenix, the women’s team has remained consistently strong. Additionally, the mixed doubles pairing of Augie and Tyra has been formidable, boasting a 7-3 record in the two most recent events.

The Quang Duong Suspension and Its Impact

A significant development that affected the tournament was the suspension of Quang Duong. The player was suspended for four MLP matches in Phoenix, barred from participating in the upcoming PPA Select Medical Orange County Cup in June, and fined $50,000 by the UPA for breaching his contract by playing in an unsanctioned overseas tournament.

This turn of events forced the LA Mad Drops to make a last-minute decision: fly in their third player, Wes Burrows, or use on-site alternate Spencer Smith. They opted for Smith, which meant starting each game he played in with a 0-1 deficit, including a Dreambreaker.

Despite this setback, the Mad Drops showed remarkable resilience. They managed to secure eight points from their four matches with Smith, culminating in a total of 11 points for the event. While their standing (8th place) remained unchanged, they widened the gap between themselves and the ninth-place team from 0.26 to 0.56 points per match. They also closed in on seventh-place Columbus, now trailing by only 0.15 ppm.

The Widening Gap in the League

A notable trend emerging in the 2025 MLP season is the growing disparity between the top and bottom teams. As highlighted by analyst Matty Pickles, the top eight teams have maintained a perfect 42-0 record against the bottom eight teams. This clear delineation raises questions about the competitiveness of the league and whether any bottom-eight team can upset a top-eight team this season.

Brooklyn’s Success and Setback

The Brooklyn Pickleball Team had an outstanding performance in Phoenix, winning five out of six matches and only losing to the Dallas Flash. Their impressive run, which saw them defeat five opponents in regulation and earn 15 out of 18 possible standings points, propelled them from 7th to 4th place in the overall standings.

However, their success came at a cost. During their penultimate match against the Utah Black Diamonds, star player Riley Newman suffered a groin injury while attempting a Bert in front of Jackie Kawamoto. Although he managed to finish the game, he was unable to compete in Brooklyn’s final match of the event.

Fortunately, rostered substitute Pat Smith stepped up admirably, helping Brooklyn secure all three points against the Phoenix Flames in their last match.

Utah Black Diamonds’ Surprising Leap

The Utah Black Diamonds made the most significant improvement in the standings during the Phoenix event. Having played only three matches prior to Phoenix, they were relatively unknown quantities. After MLP Orlando, they languished in 15th place with 0.67 ppm, second from last. However, a strong showing in Phoenix saw them earn nine points from six matches, catapulting them to 1.11 ppm and 9th place overall.

Connor Garnett and Tyler Loong were instrumental in this turnaround, posting a 5-1 record in men’s doubles. Garnett also partnered effectively with Allyce Jones in mixed doubles, going 3-3 and helping the team average 1.5 ppm in Phoenix.

While the Black Diamonds may not be title contenders in their current form, they could potentially cause problems for higher-seeded teams in the playoffs, particularly in a play-in match scenario.

Phoenix Flames’ Struggles Continue

The Phoenix Flames had a disappointing outing, managing only a Dreambreaker win against the Atlanta Bouncers. This poor performance has effectively pushed them out of playoff contention. Using the current 10th place team’s points per match (1.07) as a benchmark for playoff qualification, a team would need to earn 27 points from their 25 matches by the end of the season to make the cut.

For the Flames, who are currently averaging 0.64 ppm after 14 matches, this would require them to average an improbable 1.64 ppm in their remaining 11 matches. While mathematically still possible, it seems highly unlikely given their current form.

Despite their on-court struggles, it’s worth noting that the Flames consistently display positive attitudes and team spirit, often seen smiling and enjoying themselves even in defeat.

Contrasting Fortunes: Bouncers and Hard Eights

Both the Atlanta Bouncers and SoCal Hard Eights earned four points from their six matches in Phoenix, but their team dynamics couldn’t be more different.

The Hard Eights, led by the energetic Blaine Hovenier, maintained a positive team environment despite their losses. Hovenier’s enthusiasm helped rally newcomer Jalina Ingram to a victory over Tyra and Augie in their match against the Dallas Flash, while Jalina subbed for Irina on the first night.

In contrast, the Bouncers appeared to be in disarray for much of the event. They suffered three pickles (shutout losses) in Phoenix, and their troubles were compounded when DiMuzio fell ill on Saturday and Sunday, forcing Rettger to step in. The team’s overall demeanor was poor, with several players seemingly giving minimal effort. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Bouncers make roster changes before their next event.

Looking Ahead

As the 2025 MLP season progresses, several storylines are emerging. The dominance of top teams like the Dallas Flash and St. Louis Shock, the resilience of mid-table teams like the LA Mad Drops and Brooklyn Pickleball Team, and the struggles of bottom-ranked teams all contribute to an intriguing narrative.

The widening gap between the top and bottom halves of the league raises questions about competitive balance and the potential for upsets. Meanwhile, individual performances and team dynamics continue to play crucial roles in determining success or failure.

With more events on the horizon, including the upcoming MLP Daytona Beach, the pickleball world eagerly anticipates how these storylines will develop and what new surprises may be in store for fans and players alike.