In a surprising turn of events, Lakers’ center Jaxson Hayes has received a one-game suspension for an altercation involving the Washington Wizards' mascot prior to a game. This decision was officially announced by the league on Wednesday, following the incident that took place during pre-game introductions before the Lakers achieved a victory in Washington on Friday.
The controversy unfolded when G-Wiz, the Wizards’ mascot, was making his way off the court. As he approached the Lakers' bench, Hayes intentionally made contact by dropping his shoulder into the smaller mascot. Although the video footage cuts off at this crucial moment, it seems that the impact caused the mascot to lose his footing and collide with members of the Wizards' dance team who were entering the floor at that time.
Hayes will fulfill his suspension during Thursday's match against the Philadelphia 76ers, marking the start of the Lakers’ eight-game homestand, which is set around the All-Star weekend festivities.
This incident isn't the first time that Hayes has found himself in complicated situations. Back in July 2021, Los Angeles police were called to his residence due to a domestic dispute initiated by his then-girlfriend Sofia Jamora’s cousin. Upon their arrival, bodycam footage captured Hayes engaged in a physical struggle with an officer, where he was seen wrestling and pushing the law enforcement official. Consequently, Hayes agreed to pay the officer $150,000 (approximately AU$213,000) for the injuries sustained during the altercation, as detailed in the officer's deposition.
In the aftermath, Hayes faced 12 misdemeanor charges in Los Angeles County and was sentenced to three years of probation, mandated community service, and required attendance at domestic violence classes. Notably, the NBA refrained from imposing any suspension, fines, or further disciplinary actions on Hayes following this earlier incident.
Standing tall at 7 feet, Hayes is also scheduled to participate in the upcoming Dunk Contest during the All-Star weekend, alongside notable competitors such as Carter Bryant from the San Antonio Spurs, Keshad Johnson from the Miami Heat, and Jase Richardson from the Orlando Magic.
This season, Hayes has been averaging 6.4 points per game with an impressive shooting percentage of 77.5%, as well as contributing 3.8 rebounds over the course of 41 games in the 2025-26 season.
For those who want more details, this article originally appeared in the New York Post, with permission for reproduction.
