Overview

• During the June 14 opener in Chicago, Dwight Howard and Lance Stephenson were ejected after a scuffle escalated into a brawl that spilled into the stands.
• League officials reviewed the incident and chose warnings over suspensions, citing both veterans’ rookie status in the 3-on-3 format.
• The decision underscores the BIG3’s more lenient taunting and conduct rules compared with the NBA’s stricter standards.
• Michael Beasley’s on-court taunting helped fuel the confrontation, and former NBA guard Keyon Dooling later criticized the league’s tolerance for such antics.
• Despite the melee, Stephenson’s Miami305 defeated Howard’s LA Riot 50–44, and both players are cleared to suit up in upcoming games.