Lance Stephenson, the former Cincinnati Bearcats guard, appeared to land a punch on Jordan Crawford during a heated BIG3 matchup between Miami 305 and the LA Riot today. The clash set off a full-on melee that led to multiple ejections, and the game was called early while officials and staff tried to restore order.
Video shows the moment
According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, game footage shows Stephenson swinging at Crawford near the basket before players and coaches rushed in to break things up. Officials then halted play, sorted through the chaos, and issued several ejections after reviewing the incident.
College ties and local angle
Stephenson first broke onto the national scene as a freshman at the University of Cincinnati in the 2009–10 season, where he quickly developed a reputation as both outspoken and productive for the Bearcats, according to archived notes on GoBearcats.com. Jordan Crawford, meanwhile, started his college career at Indiana before transferring and starring at Xavier, a path reflected in roster records on GoXavier.com.
Where the teams stack up
This season’s BIG3 lineups put Stephenson on Miami 305 alongside veteran scorers, while Crawford is listed as a key piece for the LA Riot. It is a matchup that brings together old college history and big personalities at the pro level. Season rundown sites also note Michael Beasley as Stephenson’s co-captain in Miami, highlighting the star power and potential flashpoints on both benches, with LWOSports.com providing full roster context.
Not the first time sparks flew
The BIG3 is no stranger to physical moments, and Stephenson has been in the middle of them before. He was previously involved in a high-profile on-court scuffle that led to ejections and wide coverage, an earlier confrontation chronicled by Sporting News, which underscored how quickly tempers can flare in the three-on-three format.
What to watch next
Video of today's punch has been shared widely on social media, and attention now turns to how the BIG3 will respond, including possible fines or suspensions. Sports Illustrated has examined how the league has handled similar dust-ups in the past, offering a hint at the kinds of decisions fans might see this time.
For Cincinnati fans, the moment is another chapter in Stephenson’s long, click-ready career, one that started on local hardwood and somehow keeps finding its way back into the national spotlight.
