Overview
- The season opener between Miami 305 and the LA Riot at the Intuit Dome devolved into physical confrontations during the game, and referees ejected Michael Beasley and Lance Stephenson, leaving Miami with only two available players and forcing a forfeit loss (LA Riot 39-30).
- The BIG3 announced one-game suspensions for Beasley and Stephenson after a review and scheduled them on different weeks so Miami 305 can meet roster requirements, with Stephenson to sit Week 2 and Beasley Week 3.
- Video and reporting show the trouble began during a rebound/boxing-out scuffle between Beasley and Dwight Howard and continued when Stephenson committed a hard foul, put Devin Ebanks in a headlock and threw a punch at Jordan Crawford.
- Beasley reposted a fan questioning why Howard was not suspended and then posted an on-camera apology to fans, the league and founder Ice Cube after the suspensions were announced.
- The incident underscores how fragile BIG3 rosters are—five players per team with three required on court—and arrives with veteran Reggie Evans already out with a foot injury, leaving Miami 305 competitively weakened and raising fresh questions about conduct and league discipline.