Now Reading: Brooklyn Pickleball Team Picks SoCal Over Chicago After Bhatia Injury
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Brooklyn Pickleball Team Picks SoCal Over Chicago After Bhatia Injury
Brooklyn Pickleball Team Picks SoCal Over Chicago After Bhatia Injury
Brooklyn Pickleball Team chose No. 10 SoCal as their playoff opponent over No. 12 Chicago, a decision driven by SoCal's star Armaan Bhatia being out with a knee injury. The fifth-seeded team…
The Story in Brief
Brooklyn Pickleball Team chose No. 10 SoCal as their playoff opponent over No. 12 Chicago, a decision driven by SoCal's star Armaan Bhatia being out with a knee injury. The fifth-seeded team exercised its right under Major League Pickleball's unique playoff format to select its first-round rival.
Brooklyn has battled injuries all season: Riley Newman was hurt in a scooter accident, Rachel Rohrabacher was injured in a video board incident, and last year Dekel Bar missed significant time. Despite this, the team finished second in its last two regular season events. With Newman and Rohrabacher nearing full fitness, analysts say the team could be a championship contender if its health holds.
The Indian Opinion
Some will call Brooklyn's choice of a higher-seeded opponent over an easier one a gamble, but that misses the point. The team scouted actual strength, not seed numbers. Chicago's young pair Hendershot and Goins have been surging; SoCal without Bhatia is a different side. This is smart use of MLP's format, not cowardice. The real test: can Newman and Rohrabacher stay healthy through Dallas? That will decide if the pick was genius or overthinking.
Sources (2): timesnownews.com, timesnownews.com (2)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
