MLP St. Louis Playoff Drama: Major League Pickleball action continues Thursday at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missori, as six Premier Level teams and all usix Challenger Level teams compete in the eighth regular-season event of the year. A total of 31 matches will take place this weekend, with eight matches scheduled for Thursday across Championship Court and Grandstand Court.
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Chicago and Atlanta in Must-Win Match
The Chicago Slice (4 wins, 10 losses, 14 points) will face the Atlanta Bouncers (4 wins, 11 losses, 12 points) in Thursday’s first match on Championship Court. Both teams are currently out of the playoff picture, ranked 12th and 14th in the standings. With the Miami Pickleball Club holding the final playoff spot at 19 points, a win is critical for either Chicago or Atlanta to stay in the race.
This match also features added tension due to a recent player trade. In June, the Chicago Slice traded Vivienne David to the Atlanta Bouncers in exchange for Vivian Glozman. With both athletes now facing their former teams, the matchup brings extra motivation for players and fans alike.
Brooklyn Pickleball Team Missing Star Player Again
The Brooklyn Pickleball Team (14 wins, 5 losses, 44 points) begins its final regular-season event on Thursday against the Chicago Slice. Brooklyn has already secured a playoff spot but will again be without Dekel Bar for the fourth straight event. In his place, AJ Koller will continue to team up with Pat Smith.
Brooklyn still has to play strong teams like the Dallas Pickleball Club, St. Louis Shock, and Columbus Sliders this weekend. Missing a key player like Dekel Bar may make it harder for Brooklyn to hold their strong playoff position, even with AJ Koller playing well in recent matches.
Young Star Jonathan Truong Starts at Challenger Level
At the Challenger Level, Jonathan Truong will fill in for Sam Querrey on the Bay Area Breakers (6 wins, 9 losses, 19 points). He will play men’s doubles with DJ Young and mixed doubles with his sister, Alix Truong.
Jonathan Truong recently reached the Round of 16 at the PPA Orange County Cup with partner Sammy Lee. They advanced through qualifying and picked up impressive wins over Rafa Hewett and Juan Benitez, as well as Roscoe Bellamy and Matt Wright. On Thursday, the Bay Area Breakers will play against the California Black Bears (5 wins, 10 losses, 16 points) and the Florida Smash (4 wins, 11 losses, 12 points).
Match Schedule and Viewing Info
Matches on Grandstand Court will begin at 11:00 a.m. Central Time. Championship Court matches will begin at 12:00 p.m. Central Time and will be broadcast on Pickleballtv. Fans can expect a full day of competition as teams fight for playoff spots and key standings points.
News in Brief: MLP St. Louis Playoff Drama
Thursday at MLP St. Louis features big matches for the Chicago Slice, Atlanta Bouncers, Brooklyn Pickleball Team, and Bay Area Breakers. Playoff races, key player changes, and new talent like Jonathan Truong will make the day exciting. Matches begin at 11 a.m. CT and will be shown on Pickleballtv.