Dwight Howard made his much-anticipated debut in the BIG3 tournament on Saturday. He suited up for the Los Angeles Riot in a game against Michael Beasley’s Miami squad. The former Lakers star returned to the hardwood with confidence, but the night turned out to be more dramatic than dominant.
From the opening minutes, Beasley made it clear that Howard wouldn’t have an easy welcome. Multiple times, Michael Beasley was spotted staring down Dwight Howard, dancing around him, and yelling in his face at every opportunity.
Michael Beasley welcomed Dwight Howard into the ‘BIG3’ (@thebig3) with a LOSS & yelled in his face every chance he could 😂🗣️
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) June 15, 2025
Beasley yelled, stared down, & danced in Dwight & threw him off his game 😳
Via. @NBABuzzMikey pic.twitter.com/NfHNBgjK6B
Beasley’s taunts seemed to rattle the veteran center, disrupting Howard’s rhythm throughout the game. Though it was intense, the encounter between Beasley and Howard never escalated into a physical altercation.
However, Howard’s night took a wild turn when things spiraled out of control with another former NBA player, Lance Stephenson. The two got into a heated scuffle that quickly turned physical. Tempers flared, and the confrontation grew so chaotic that both players were ejected from the game. The clash overshadowed what was meant to be Howard’s return showcase.
Dwight Howard Shares Candid Advice For Future No. 1 Pick Cooper Flagg
As the buzz builds around Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, former top pick Dwight Howard has offered the young phenom some heartfelt advice drawn from his own journey. Speaking with TMZ on Sunday, Howard shared a meaningful message for Flagh.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
“Just go hoop, enjoy the games. Don’t let the politics take away the passion, and have fun,” Howard said.
Howard was drafted first overall in 2004, straight out of high school. He knows firsthand the immense pressure that comes with being the face of a draft class. Hence, Howard is passing on wisdom forged from two decades of professional basketball experience.
