Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes recently found himself in an unusual spotlight, but not for his play on the court.
The 25-year-old big man was suspended for one game by the NBA after pushing the Washington Wizards’ mascot, GWiz, during pregame introductions on January 30 at Capital One Arena.
The incident, which quickly went viral, took place before the Lakers’ dominant 142-111 victory over the Wizards. Fortunately, the mascot was unharmed, but the league made it clear that physical altercations with game-day staff would not be tolerated, emphasizing zero tolerance for such actions.
Hayes‘ suspension meant he missed the Lakers’ following game against the Philadelphia 76ers, a 119-115 win, and he forfeited his pay for that contest.
The timing came during a critical stretch for Los Angeles, who were trying to maintain momentum amid injuries to key players. With Luka Doncic sidelined due to a hamstring issue and Deandre Ayton out with right knee soreness, Hayes was expected to step up in the lineup once he returned.
Rare moment, hard lessons for Hayes
When Hayes returned to the court on Saturday night against the Golden State Warriors, he took the opportunity to address the incident publicly. Speaking to reporters after the Lakers’ 105-99 victory, he apologized not only to his teammates but directly to GWiz.
Hayes explained that the incident occurred when he was stretching before the game and the mascot stepped on his foot. “I might have lost it,” he said, admitting he should have handled the situation differently. “We live, and we learn, and so just going to keep doing that again.”
Head coach JJ Redick confirmed that Hayes had apologized internally and framed the episode as a learning experience.
While player-mascot interactions are usually lighthearted and playful, the NBA’s swift action underscores the league’s commitment to maintaining professionalism and ensuring that all on-court personnel are respected. It also highlights that even minor infractions can carry consequences when publicized.
During his return game, Hayes contributed six points (3-of-4 shooting), four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in 20 minutes of action. His presence helped the Lakers fill the gap left by other injured players and demonstrated his value as a reliable rotation piece.
While he has had past legal issues, including a 2021 arrest and subsequent probation, no further NBA disciplinary action has been taken.
Despite this unusual setback, Hayes is focused on moving forward, supporting the Lakers, and continuing to develop as a professional player.
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