Head coach Luke Walton traded in the hardwood for a green table on Thursday, as he participated in Clayton Kershaw’s fifth annual PingPong4Purpose.
Held at Dodger Stadium, the night benefitted the Kershaw’s Challenge charity, which is centered on helping at-risk youth in Los Angeles, Dallas, Zambia and the Dominican Republic.
While Walton has shown his skills as a basketball and beach volleyball player, he and partner Casey Affleck didn’t fare so well at table tennis, falling in the first round to Jimmy Kimmel and Justin Turner.
Meanwhile, Lakers President Magic Johnson was also a focal point of the night.
Also a co-owner of the Dodgers, the L.A. legend received the Kershaw’s Challenge Impact Award for the work he has done with the Magic Johnson Foundation — a nonprofit that focuses on “empowering underserved communities,” particularly by promoting HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention, digital literacy and college access.
Magic used his acceptance speech to declare that his Dodgers — boasting a league-best 71-31 record — will win the World Series this year.
He also spent some time catching up with Lakers of the past and present, chatting with Showtime teammate Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and current shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Other attendees included Tyson Chandler, Danny Trejo and Adrian Gonzalez.