**HEATED EXCHANGE ERUPTS BETWEEN GARY PAYTON AND JORDAN CRAWFORD IN BIG 3 ACTION**

In a shocking turn of events, a heated scuffle broke out between former NBA stars Gary Payton and Jordan Crawford during a recent Big 3 game. The altercation occurred during a timeout in the third quarter, and things quickly escalated to the point where both players had to be separated by their teammates and officials.

According to eyewitnesses, the tension began to build when Crawford, a member of the Power squad, and Payton, a member of the Ball Hogs, got into a verbal exchange over a play that had just unfolded on the court. Payton, a tenacious defender known for his physical play, had just made a tough steal on Crawford, and the two players began to exchange words.

The situation quickly deteriorated, with both players standing up and pointing fingers at each other. Before long, the benches for both teams emptied, and a full-blown brawl seemed imminent.

“It was like a powder keg waiting to blow,” said a coach on the scene. “You could feel the tension in the air. I was worried that someone was going to get hurt.”

Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed, and the players were eventually separated by their teammates and officials. The incident marked a rare moment of controversy in the Big 3, which has otherwise been a well-run and entertaining league.

The aftermath of the altercation was just as dramatic as the incident itself. Crawford and Payton were both ejected from the game, and the Power squad went on to win the game without their star player.

“I’m disappointed in the way the situation played out,” said Power coach Reggie Theus. “Jordan is a key player for us, and we need him on the court. But at the same time, I understand why he was upset. Gary can be a tough guy to play against.”

Payton, meanwhile, denied that he had started the altercation, and suggested that Crawford had been looking for a fight all game long.

“I was just trying to play defense and make a play on the ball,” Payton said. “Jordan was the one who started talking trash and trying to get under my skin. I’m not going to back down from anyone, especially not on my own court.”

The incident has sparked a lot of debate in the Big 3 community, with some fans defending Payton’s actions and others criticizing Crawford for seeking to escalate the situation.

Regardless of where you stand on the issue, one thing is clear: the Big 3 has seen a rare moment of controversy, and the league will likely be taking a close look at the situation in the days to come.

In the meantime, the Power and Ball Hogs will have to move forward without two of their key players, and the Big 3 will have to navigate the aftermath of this heated exchange.