Wizards Fans Rally Around G-Wiz After Collision With Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes
The Washington Wizards made headlines this week with a blockbuster trade for Anthony Davis-but that wasn’t the only thing shaking up the fanbase. In a moment that was equal parts bizarre and unsettling, the team’s beloved mascot, G-Wiz, was involved in a collision with Lakers forward Jaxson Hayes that quickly turned into one of the most talked-about incidents in the NBA this season.
Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and what it could mean for the Wizards moving forward.
The Incident: What Happened Between Hayes and G-Wiz?
It’s not every day that an NBA player gets suspended for a run-in with a mascot, but that’s exactly what happened to Jaxson Hayes. The incident took place during pregame introductions of the Wizards’ home matchup against the Lakers-a game the Wizards would go on to lose 142-111. But the final score wasn’t what had fans buzzing.
As is tradition, G-Wiz sprinted across the court waving the team flag to pump up the crowd. Everything looked routine-until he reached the tunnel near the Lakers' bench.
That’s where Hayes was stretching, crouched low to the ground. As G-Wiz passed by, Hayes appeared to lean into the mascot, delivering a hip check that sent G-Wiz tumbling into the Wizards dance team.
The video, which quickly made the rounds on social media, is tough to watch. The impact looked anything but accidental.
G-Wiz went flying, colliding with a member of the dance squad in the process. It was the kind of hit you expect in an NFL game, not during NBA pregame festivities.
While there’s been some debate over whether G-Wiz may have veered too close to Hayes, the footage paints a fairly clear picture-Hayes made a decision to engage, and it wasn’t a friendly one. Simply putting up a hand to stop the mascot would’ve been enough. Instead, the Lakers big man opted for contact, and it cost him a game via suspension.
Is G-Wiz Okay?
Thankfully, yes.
Despite the hard fall and the viral nature of the incident, G-Wiz is expected to be back in action for the Wizards’ next home game against the Miami Heat. No serious injury was reported, and the mascot even managed to keep things light on social media, posting:
“haters wanna see me fall… luckily it’s spring”
It’s a classic G-Wiz move-humor in the face of adversity. But make no mistake, Wizards fans took this personally. G-Wiz isn’t just a mascot; he’s a staple of the Capital One Arena experience, a symbol of team spirit, and a fan favorite for kids and adults alike.
Looking Ahead: March 30th Rematch in L.A.
The Wizards will get another crack at the Lakers on March 30th, this time in Los Angeles. Unfortunately, G-Wiz won’t be making the trip-mascots typically don’t travel for road games-but that doesn’t mean the team won’t have him on their minds.
Expect the Wizards to come out with a little extra motivation in that one. Whether it’s for the standings, pride, or just to get one back for their fallen mascot, Washington will be looking to send a message.
And who knows? Maybe G-Wiz will be watching from home, flag in hand, ready to celebrate a revenge win from afar.
Bottom Line
While the Anthony Davis trade is expected to reshape the Wizards’ on-court identity, this unexpected mascot moment has galvanized the fanbase in a different way. What started as a strange pregame incident has turned into a rallying point for a team and its supporters.
G-Wiz is back, the fans are fired up, and March 30th is already circled on the calendar. The NBA is full of surprises-but this one? Nobody saw it coming.