Two of the BIG3’s newest stars made headlines for all the wrong reasons on Saturday, as Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson were both ejected following an on-court altercation during their league debuts.

The incident occurred during a matchup between Howard’s LA Riot and Stephenson’s Miami 305. Tensions boiled over after a physical exchange led to Howard shoving Stephenson, sparking a scuffle that spilled into the sideline area. Stephenson tackled Howard to the ground, and both players were promptly thrown out of the game.

Despite the chaos, Miami came away with a 50–44 victory, led by Stephenson’s 16-point effort.

Howard, 39, entered the BIG3 spotlight after an 18-year NBA career and a recent stint in Taiwan. The former No. 1 overall pick was recently named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2025, thanks to a résumé that includes eight All-Star selections, three Defensive Player of the Year awards, and an NBA championship.

Stephenson, 34, also made his debut after spending the 2023–24 season in the G League with the Iowa Wolves. Known for his physical defense and brash on-court persona, he contributed 16 points in the win before the ejection cut his night short.

While both players showed flashes of their past NBA form, their confrontation now overshadows what was meant to be a celebrated debut for two of the league’s most high-profile additions.