Jaxson Hayes Suspended One Game for Shoving Wizards Mascot, Will Miss Lakers’ Matchup vs. 76ers
The Lakers will be without big man Jaxson Hayes on Thursday night when they host the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena. The NBA has handed Hayes a one-game suspension without pay after an unusual pregame incident during Los Angeles' blowout win over the Washington Wizards on January 30.
The incident in question? Hayes shoved G-Wiz, the Wizards’ mascot, during player introductions at Capital One Arena. The league announced the suspension on Wednesday, with Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations James Jones delivering the ruling.
Thankfully, no harm was done - sources confirmed G-Wiz wasn’t injured in the incident. But regardless of intent or outcome, the NBA made it clear that this kind of behavior, even in a lighthearted setting, crosses a line. Mascots are part of the entertainment, not the action, and the league isn’t going to let physical contact slide - even if it happens before the opening tip.
Timing Couldn’t Be Worse for the Lakers
The suspension comes at a less-than-ideal moment for a Lakers team that’s finally starting to get healthy. Austin Reaves just returned to the lineup in Tuesday’s win over the Brooklyn Nets, and after a season filled with injuries and shuffled rotations, the Lakers have been looking to build some long-overdue continuity.
Now, with the NBA trade deadline looming on Thursday, there’s a real possibility the Lakers could be shorthanded against Philly - and not just because of Hayes. If any last-minute deals go down, the roster could look different by tip-off, and Hayes’ absence only adds to the uncertainty.
Who Fills the Void?
With Hayes sidelined, the Lakers will have to get creative with their frontcourt rotation. Maxi Kleber and Drew Timme are the most likely candidates to pick up minutes at backup center, though the Lakers have also leaned into small-ball lineups recently with LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, or Jarred Vanderbilt playing the five.
The good news? It’s just a one-game suspension. Hayes will be eligible to return Saturday night when the Lakers face the Golden State Warriors - a game that could have major implications depending on how the Western Conference standings shake out post-deadline.
Hayes Set for Slam Dunk Contest Spotlight
Despite the hiccup, Hayes will still have a chance to make headlines in a more traditional way: through the rim. He’s been selected as one of four participants in this year’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
Hayes has made a name for himself with his high-flying finishes, and just recently pulled off an eye-popping between-the-legs dunk in a game against the Chicago Bulls. While centers haven’t historically dominated the Dunk Contest, Hayes brings a rare blend of size and bounce that could give him a real shot at stealing the show.
So while Thursday night will see Hayes watching from the sidelines, don’t expect him to stay out of the spotlight for long.