Jaxson Hayes Addresses Mascot Incident, Returns to Lakers Lineup with Poise
The NBA has always drawn a firm line when it comes to player conduct-especially in interactions with non-players. That line came into focus recently when Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes found himself in hot water after a brief but headline-making moment with the Washington Wizards’ mascot.
During pregame warmups before the Lakers’ matchup with the Wizards, Hayes reacted to what he described as an accidental foot-step by the mascot, resulting in a shove that quickly drew the league’s attention. The NBA responded with a one-game suspension, sidelining Hayes for the Lakers’ next contest against the Philadelphia 76ers.
After returning to action in the Lakers’ 105-99 win over the Golden State Warriors, Hayes spoke candidly about the incident. His message? Accountability and growth.
“Obviously, I apologize to the team, to the mascot,” Hayes said. “We all try to get ourselves in a mental space, in a physical space.
Get ready to go out and play a game. And when I’m stretching and somebody steps on my foot, I might have lost [it].
I should have handled it a different way. And, you know, we live and we learn.
So, just going to keep doing that.”
It was a moment of reflection from a young player still finding his footing in the league-both literally and figuratively. Hayes didn’t deflect or make excuses. He owned the misstep and made it clear he’s focused on moving forward.
That maturity didn’t go unnoticed inside the Lakers locker room. Head coach JJ Redick backed Hayes publicly, emphasizing the importance of learning from mistakes rather than being defined by them.
“He made an error in judgment, and he owned up to it and apologized,” Redick said. “Hopefully, this is a learning opportunity for him.”
Hayes’ return to the floor was steady and productive. In his first game back, he posted six points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block-contributing in multiple areas as the Lakers secured a hard-fought win over a scrappy Warriors squad. Perhaps more telling than the stat line was the fact that he was inserted into the starting lineup, a clear sign that the organization continues to believe in his potential and presence on the court.
The Lakers have invested in Hayes not just for what he brings athletically, but for how he can grow within their system. Incidents like this, while unfortunate, become part of a player’s journey-opportunities to learn, reset, and respond.
And Hayes responded the right way: with accountability, professionalism, and a solid performance in his return. The Lakers aren’t letting one moment define their young center, and neither is he.