BIG3 Opener Turns Wild • Hollywood Unlocked

BIG3 Opener Turns Wild As Dwight Howard And Lance Stephenson Throw Hands

Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson’s BIG3 debut was supposed to be a celebration. Instead, it turned into pure chaos. [Insert internal link here to related BIG3 news or other celebrity sports incidents]. During the season opener between LA Riot and Miami 305, both former NBA stars got into it on the court—and it got physical real fast.

The game had energy from the jump, but the vibe flipped after a few exchanges between the two. Tension boiled over when Howard wrapped Stephenson in a headlock, and the scuffle spilled over near the stands. Security and teammates rushed in to break things up, but the message was clear: both players were getting ejected.

Uh Oh: Shaq Responds After Dwight Howard Says He’s Willing to “Throw Hands” Ongoing Feud

Stephenson wasn’t quiet after the fact. He hopped on Instagram and aired Howard out, saying, “He had 10 fouls, pushing everybody, he was outta control.” Howard hasn’t responded publicly yet, but the footage pretty much speaks for itself.

Stephenson’s On-Court Drama Didn’t Stop With Dwight

As wild as that moment was, it wasn’t Stephenson’s only heated encounter that night. Earlier in the game, Jordan Crawford swung and caught him right in the nose. Stephenson threw a punch right back, and once again, teammates had to play peacemaker.

That’s on-brand for Stephenson though. Through his 10-year NBA run, he was more known for ruffling feathers than stats—though his 8.6 points, 4.1 boards, and 2.9 assists per game ain’t bad. Let’s not forget the man once blew in LeBron’s ear mid-playoff series.

Howard’s Return to the Court Sparks Controversy, Not Comeback

Dwight Howard wasn’t just another face in the crowd. He was the face. A former NBA champion, three-time Defensive Player of the Year, and eight-time All-Star, Howard brought legacy and power to the BIG3.

He last suited up in the league for the Lakers back in the 2021-22 season and has made it clear he still wants one last NBA shot. But after Saturday’s showdown, folks might only remember the headlock—not the hustle. He dropped 10 points and grabbed 7 rebounds, but the fight outshined the stat line.

Miami 305 Clinches the Win, Despite the Chaos

Through all the drama, the game actually ended—with Miami 305 coming out on top. They edged LA Riot 50-44. Stephenson showed out with 16 points, three rebounds, and an assist. And even though Howard got ejected, he left his mark with his own stat line before the drama cut it short.

BIG3 games are always high energy, but this opener set a whole new tone for the season. With egos flaring and tempers flying, the league might’ve just gotten its biggest storyline yet—and it’s only week one.