Dwight Howard’s debut in the BIG3 league on Saturday took an unexpected turn when he was ejected following a fight with former NBA player Lance Stephenson, according to BasketNews.
The altercation occurred during a game between Howard’s team, the Los Angeles Riot, and Stephenson’s Miami 305 squad. The confrontation began after Howard appeared to be elbowed in the chest by Stephenson.
In response, Howard pushed Stephenson’s arm away, which quickly escalated into a physical exchange as both players began throwing punches. A video capturing the incident is available on Ballislife.com.
Howard commented on the incident, acknowledging the unexpected nature of the event: “This is not exactly how I pictured my debut going,” he said in a statement released by his team.
In a related event, Lance Stephenson was also involved in a separate confrontation with another Los Angeles Riot player, Jordan Crawford.
Following a brief verbal exchange, Crawford placed his hand on Stephenson’s face, touching his nose. Stephenson reacted by throwing a punch, but unlike the altercation with Howard, both players remained in the game.
Howard, an eight-time NBA All-Star and a recent inductee into the Basketball Hall of Fame, is one of the most high-profile players to join the BIG3, which is currently in its eighth season. His presence brings significant attention to the league.
League co-founder Ice Cube praised Howard’s contribution and spirit, stating, “Dwight’s legacy speaks for itself. He still has fun playing the game … and now he gets to show his full skill set in the BIG3.”
Despite the rough start, Howard’s entry into the BIG3 highlights the league’s ability to attract major basketball talent and offers fans a chance to see former stars continue to compete at a high level.
And-Ones: Howard, Jordan, Shoe Deals, 2019 Redraft https://t.co/u0a5DYQukL pic.twitter.com/zEUXevik4K
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