If you mess with an NBA mascot, you better be willing to deal with the consequences. Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes found that out the hard way Wednesday, as he was suspended for one game after shoving Washington Wizards mascot G-Wiz during pregame introductions when the two teams played in January.
The incident occurred prior to the Lakers’ 142-111 win over the Wizards on Jan. 30. As a result, Hayes will be suspended — without pay — for one game, the NBA announced Wednesday.
Hayes is expected to serve his suspension Thursday, when the Lakers will take on the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena.
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Video of the incident appears to show Hayes shoving G-Wiz into one of the Wizards’ cheerleaders after G-Wiz ran across the court waving the team’s flag.
It didn’t appear to be a planned shove, as G-Wiz’s feet left the ground after being blindsided by Hayes.
Despite the way it looked, G-Wiz reportedly did not sustain any injuries due to the shove, per The Athletic.
Hayes, 25, has mostly served in a reserve role with the Lakers this season. In 41 games, he’s averaging 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds.
Hayes, a former first-round pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft, was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans on draft night. He spent his first four years in the NBA with the Pelicans, where he averaged 7.5 points per game.
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Following the 2022-23 NBA season, Hayes signed a two-year, $4.6 million deal with the Lakers. When that contract ended, Hayes opted to re-sign with the team on a one-year, $3.5 million deal.
In his three seasons with the Lakers, Hayes has mostly been a backup, though he did start 35 of the 56 games he played with the Lakers during the 2024-25 season.
Hayes will take part in the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest on Feb. 14. Unless he plans to bury the hatchet with G-Wiz as part of an elaborate dunk, we’re guessing he’ll likely keep a wide berth when he sees the mascot during the All-Star break festivities.
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