BIG3 Opening Weekend Marred by Player Ejections and Forfeit
Lance Stephenson, a familiar name from his NBA tenure, found himself at the center of controversy during the BIG3 basketball league’s opening weekend. The former Indiana Pacers guard was ejected from a game after engaging in a physical altercation that ultimately led to his team forfeiting.
The Incident Unfolds
The melee began when Stephenson, now playing for Miami 305, appeared to tackle LA Riot’s Devin Ebanks during a drive to the basket. The situation escalated quickly as Stephenson was seen briefly putting Ebanks in a headlock. Shortly thereafter, Stephenson reportedly took a swing at Jordan Crawford amidst the ensuing chaos.
Adding to the drama, teammate Michael Beasley was involved in a separate scuffle with Dwight Howard. Both Stephenson and Beasley were ejected from the game. With the player ejections, Miami 305 was left with only two available players, forcing them to forfeit the contest.
League Response and Player Suspensions
BIG3 Commissioner Clyde Drexler addressed the incident on Sunday, announcing that both Stephenson and Beasley would be suspended for one game. In a statement, Drexler emphasized that while the league encourages physical play and spirited banter, outright fighting is unacceptable. He stressed the league’s commitment to protecting the integrity of the game and ensuring the safety of all participants on and around the court.
To allow Miami 305 to maintain sufficient roster numbers, the suspensions will be staggered. Stephenson is slated to serve his ban in the second week of play, while Beasley will sit out the third week.
Ice Cube Issues Apology
Ice Cube, the founder of the BIG3, took to social media platform X to address the disruptive events. “Apologies to everybody watching the Miami 305 vs. LA Riot on CBS yesterday,” he wrote. “We all wanted to see a great basketball game. That wasn’t it.”
Despite the controversy, the incident served as a stark reminder of Stephenson’s often unpredictable and captivating presence on the court, a trait that followed him from the NBA and seemingly remains undiminished.
