Dwight Howard has been eyeing a return to the Los Angeles Lakers. But his recent actions in the BIG3 league might have complicated that dream. While the Lakers have yet to reach out to the former star center, Howard made his presence known as a member of the BIG3 team, Los Angeles Riot.
On Saturday, Howard made his much-anticipated debut in the 3-on-3 league as a center-forward hybrid for the Riot. However, the spotlight quickly shifted from his comeback to controversy.
The Riot suffered a crushing 50-44 loss to Miami 305. But the most talked-about moment came when Howard clashed with Lance Stephenson.
4k version of Dwight Howard vs Lance Stephenson thanks you to @Ballislife pic.twitter.com/kDrCPLAbaO https://t.co/8tdpjcNQx5
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) June 14, 2025
Tensions boiled over mid-game when Howard aggressively shoved Stephenson. The confrontation escalated as Howard placed Stephenson in a one-armed headlock. In seconds, both players were grappling and eventually fell to the ground.
The fight became so intense it spilled into the stands, forcing security to intervene. Both Howard and Stephenson were ejected before the final whistle blew. This marked a wild end to their BIG3 debuts.
Despite the chaos, their stat lines showed flashes of their NBA days. Howard finished with 10 points and 7 rebounds. On the other hand, Stephenson posted 16 points and 3 rebounds.
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Dwight Howard Weighs In On LeBron Vs. Kobe Debate
During his latest interview on the Club 520 Podcast, Dwight Howard was asked to weigh in on the LeBron James vs. Kobe Bryant debate. Howard offered a unique perspective on who he believes comes out on top overall.
“Everything combined, you got to give it to LeBron. Scoring-wise, I got to say I like Kobe. If it’s late in the game, I’m giving the ball to Kobe. I’m not going to give the ball to LeBron late in the game. I’m going to give it to Kobe,” Howard said.
His reasoning is rooted in personal experience and observation. In the 2012-13 season, Howard played alongside Kobe during a turbulent year for the Lakers. Later, during the 2021-22 season, Howard reunited with the Lakers and played with LeBron. It gave him a rare inside view of both superstars’ playing styles and leadership approaches.
Also Read: Dwight Howard’s Unique Rolls-Royce: Inside The NBA Star’s Championship Ring-Inspired Ride
