Former NBA players Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson became embroiled in a chaotic brawl that spilled over into the crowd during their Big3 debuts on Saturday.
Both Howard, who played for a number of teams throughout his 19-year NBA career, and ex-Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers guard Stephenson have joined the 3-on-3 basketball league this summer.
And when they lined up against each other on the opening weekend of the season, tempers flared between the two men.
After initially exchanging heated words, LA Riots center Howard pushed Stephenson’s arm away as he lifted it up to his chest, which sparked an angry reaction from the Miami 305 player.
Officials then desperately tried to intervene as Dwight and Lance took hold of one another and grappled furiously, before they fell over into the crowd.
Both players were ejected from the game over the scuffle, before Miami went on to win 50-44.
Ex-NBA players Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson got into a wild brawl on Saturday night
Howard and Stephenson grappled each other and fell into the crowd on their Big3 debuts
Both players spent time with the Los Angeles Lakers in their respective lengthy NBA careers
Howard and Stephenson both enjoyed successful careers in the NBA, with the former selected first overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2004 draft.
Across almost two decades in the league, the Atlanta-born star played for the Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Washington Wizards and Philadelphia 76ers while enjoying two stints as a Laker, winning the NBA Championship with the latter in 2020.
The eight-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA First Team center later spent time playing in Taiwan for the Taoyuan Leopards before making his move over to Big3.
As for Stephenson, he began his 10-year NBA career after being picked by the Pacers 40th overall in the second round of the 2010 draft.
The Cincinnati college standout also lined up for the Hornets, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, New Orleans Pelicans, Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers and Hawks, before playing in China and Puerto Rico at the end of his career.
He was most recently on G League outfit the Iowa Wolves’ roster in the 2023-24 campaign.
Stephenson finished his Big3 debut with 16 points, three rebounds and one assist, while Howard registered 10 points and seven rebounds before the ejection.
