Major Shifts in MLP Premier Standings: The second day of the MLP Kansas City event has been a game-changer for Premier Level teams, with dramatic shifts in the standings that could reshape the playoff landscape. As teams grapple for position and momentum, several key performances have left their mark on the leaderboard.
St. Louis Shock Takes Command
The St. Louis Shock delivered a statement performance, surging to the top of the standings with a Points per Match (PPM) of 2.24, an impressive jump of 0.24. With a total of 38 points from 17 matches and 6 remaining, the Shock have demonstrated a blend of consistency and strategic play. Their ascent to the top spot shows their growing dominance and positions them as a formidable contender for the title.
Texas Ranchers Ascend to Second Place
The Texas Ranchers capitalized on their opportunities, moving up to second place with a PPM of 2.06, a solid increase of 0.13. They now have 35 points from 17 matches, with 6 more to play. Their climb reflects a team that has harnessed resilience and tactical acumen, enhancing their prospects as the competition heats up.
Dallas Flash Faces Setback
In contrast, the Dallas Flash stumbled, slipping to third place with a decreased PPM of 2.00. Despite maintaining a total of 34 points from 17 matches, the Flash’s decline highlights the challenges they face in a tight race. With 6 matches left, Dallas must regroup and refocus to reclaim their position at the top.
Orlando Squeeze Makes Notable Move
One of the most notable changes came from the Orlando Squeeze, who surged four places to seventh. Their PPM saw a significant boost to 1.18, an increase of 0.40. With 13 points from 11 matches and 12 still to play, Orlando’s recent performances suggest they could be a dark horse, capable of making a strong push for the playoffs.
Steady Performances from New Jersey 5s and NY Hustlers
The New Jersey 5s and NY Hustlers held their ground, staying in fourth and fifth places, respectively. The New Jersey 5s, with a PPM of 1.89 and 17 points, have 9 matches left to play. The NY Hustlers saw a slight drop in their PPM to 1.75, with 21 points from 12 matches and 11 remaining. Their consistency continues to keep them in contention, though the competition remains fierce.
D.C. Pickleball Team and LA Mad Drops Experience Minor Declines
The D.C. Pickleball Team and LA Mad Drops both faced minor setbacks. The D.C. team’s PPM fell to 1.60, placing them sixth with 16 points from 10 matches and 13 remaining. The LA Mad Drops, now in eighth, experienced a drop in their PPM to 1.17, holding 14 points from 12 matches with 11 to go. Both teams will need to address these declines to stay in the playoff hunt.
Bottom Teams See Movement
At the lower end of the standings, the Carolina Pickleball Club, AZ Drive, and Columbus Sliders each experienced a drop. The Carolina Pickleball Club, with a PPM of 1.09, stands ninth with 12 points from 11 matches and 12 remaining. AZ Drive is now tenth with a PPM of 1.00 and 12 points from 12 matches, while the Columbus Sliders’ PPM fell to 0.83, holding 10 points from 12 matches. These teams will need to improve their performances to climb out of the bottom ranks.
Utah Black Diamonds Remain at the Bottom
Despite a modest increase in their PPM to 0.69, the Utah Black Diamonds remain at the bottom of the standings. With 9 points from 13 matches and 10 remaining, they have yet to make a significant impact. Their consistency in maintaining their position will be crucial as they look to improve their standing in the coming matches.
BIG second day at @MajorLeaguePB Kansas City@OrlandoSqueeze take down the @DallasFlashPB and back it up with a win over the @Maddropspc to surge into 7th in the standings.@HardEightsMLP continue to dominate ascending to 2nd in Challenger. pic.twitter.com/eFASD2yZNi
— Real Clear Stats (@statsrealclear) August 5, 2024
MLP Premier Level Teams Standings
| Rank Delta (Δ) | Rank | Team | PPM | PPM +/- | Total Points | Matches Played | Remaining Matches |
| ↑1 | 1 | St. Louis Shock | 2.24 | 0.24 | 38 | 17 | 6 |
| ↑1 | 2 | Texas Ranchers | 2.06 | 0.13 | 35 | 17 | 6 |
| ↓2 | 3 | Dallas Flash | 2 | -0.21 | 34 | 17 | 6 |
| ↔ | 4 | New Jersey 5s | 1.89 | – | 17 | 9 | 14 |
| ↔ | 5 | NY Hustlers | 1.75 | -0.05 | 21 | 12 | 11 |
| ↔ | 6 | D.C. Pickleball Team | 1.6 | -0.07 | 16 | 10 | 13 |
| ↑4 | 7 | Orlando Squeeze | 1.18 | 0.4 | 13 | 11 | 12 |
| ↓1 | 8 | LA Mad Drops | 1.17 | -0.39 | 14 | 12 | 11 |
| ↓1 | 9 | Carolina Pickleball Club | 1.09 | – | 12 | 11 | 12 |
| ↓1 | 10 | AZ Drive | 1 | – | 12 | 12 | 11 |
| ↓1 | 11 | Columbus Sliders | 0.83 | -0.17 | 10 | 12 | 11 |
| ↔ | 12 | Utah Black Diamonds | 0.69 | 0.29 | 9 | 13 | 10 |
The second day of the MLP Kansas City event has certainly reshaped the Premier Level standings. With teams jockeying for playoff positions and points, the competition is intensifying. As the event progresses, fans will be keenly watching to see which teams can maintain their momentum and which ones will seize the opportunity to turn their fortunes around.
News in Brief: Major Shifts in MLP Premier Standings
Day two of the MLP Kansas City event brought significant changes to the Premier Level standings. The St. Louis Shock surged to first place with a PPM of 2.24, demonstrating strong performance and consistency. The Texas Ranchers climbed to second with a PPM of 2.06, showcasing their resilience.
In contrast, the Dallas Flash fell to third, with a decreased PPM of 2.00. Orlando Squeeze made a notable move to seventh, boosting their PPM to 1.18. The New Jersey 5s and NY Hustlers maintained fourth and fifth places, respectively. The D.C. Pickleball Team and LA Mad Drops experienced minor declines. At the bottom, the Utah Black Diamonds remain last, despite a slight PPM increase. The playoff race remains intense as teams vie for crucial points.
