Ex-Pacers player Lance Stephenson starts a fight in Big 3 game, Ice Cube apologizes
Lance Stephenson was known to take things to the edge while playing for the Indiana Pacers.
He crossed that line in a Big 3 game over the weekend, essentially tackling Devin Ebanks on a drive to the basket then briefly holding him in a headlock.
Stephenson, playing for Miami 305, also took a swing at Jordan Crawford of the L.A. Riot.
Lance Stephenson wanted smoke with the whole LA Riot team!! 🤬 Game called after altercation with both teams. pic.twitter.com/6Ya6pOpFYu
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) June 20, 2026
League commissioner Clyde Drexler announced that Stephenson and Miami teammate Michael Beasley would be suspended for one game. Drexler noted that the Big 3 — a 3-on-3 league of mostly retired NBA players — embraces physical play and trash talk but fighting “will not be tolerated.”
League founder Ice Cube stated on social media: “Apologies to everybody watching the Miami 305 vs. LA riot on @CBS yesterday. We all wanted to see a great basketball game. That wasn’t it.”
Apologies to everybody watching the Miami 305 vs. LA riot on @CBS yesterday. We all wanted to see a great basketball game. That wasn’t it. pic.twitter.com/qfRPVthK1L
— Ice Cube (@icecube) June 21, 2026
Stephenson played for the Pacers in three stints over seven seasons, firing up the crowd, antagonizing opponents, strumming an air guitar after baskets, once blowing in LeBron James’ ear during a playoff game.
He ended his NBA career with the Pacers in 2022.
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Ice Cube apologizes for Big 3 fight involving Lance Stephenson
