A brawl involving former NBA guard Lance Stephenson ended with his team forfeiting a game during the BIG3 league's opening weekend, drawing an apology from the league's founder and suspensions for two players.
Stephenson, who now plays for the Miami 305 in the BIG3, was ejected after an altercation with LA Riot's Devin Ebanks. According to Fox News, Stephenson appeared to tackle Ebanks on a drive to the basket before briefly putting him in a headlock. He then took a swing at Jordan Crawford as other players rushed into the scrum.
Teammate Michael Beasley was involved in a separate altercation with Dwight Howard during the same game. Both Beasley and Stephenson were ejected. With Miami 305 reduced to just two available players after the ejections, the team forfeited the game.
BIG3 Commissioner Clyde Drexler announced Sunday that both players received one-game suspensions. In an official statement, Drexler said the league embraces physical play and trash talk, but added that "fighting of any kind will not be tolerated" and that protecting the integrity of the game and the safety of those on and around the court remains a top priority.
To ensure Miami 305 can still meet the league's minimum roster requirements, the suspensions were staggered. Stephenson will serve his suspension in Week 2, while Beasley will sit out in Week 3.
BIG3 founder Ice Cube addressed the incident on social media. "Apologies to everybody watching the Miami 305 vs. LA Riot on CBS yesterday," he wrote on X. "We all wanted to see a great basketball game. That wasn't it."
Stephenson last played in the NBA in 2022. He is perhaps best remembered for his time with the Indiana Pacers, including a moment during the 2014 Eastern Conference Finals in which he blew in LeBron James's ear during a game. The BIG3, which features former professional players, was founded by Ice Cube in 2017.
