Jaxson Hayes Faces Potential Legal Action After Altercation With Wizards Mascot
Things have taken a strange turn off the court for Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes. What started as an unusual pregame moment has now escalated into a potential legal matter, as the Wizards’ mascot-yes, the mascot-is reportedly considering a lawsuit following a physical altercation with Hayes during pregame introductions on January 30 in Washington.
The incident, which was caught on video and quickly circulated online, shows Hayes shoving the Wizards’ mascot, G-Wiz, during the opening rally before the Lakers faced the Wizards. The NBA responded with a one-game suspension for Hayes, citing unsportsmanlike conduct.
But the story didn’t end there. According to reports, G-Wiz has now hired attorney Waukeen McCoy-who previously represented Sofia Jamora in a domestic dispute involving Hayes-to explore potential legal action. McCoy has stated that while they’re open to resolving the matter privately, legal proceedings are very much on the table if a settlement can’t be reached.
“We will give them the opportunity to resolve the matter before taking legal action,” McCoy said. “But legal action is anticipated.”
From the Wizards’ side, the claim is that the mascot suffered a bodily injury as a result of the shove. Hayes, for his part, has said the incident stemmed from an accident during his pregame routine.
According to the Lakers center, he was stretching when G-Wiz stepped on his foot, triggering an instinctive reaction that he now regrets. Hayes has since apologized to both the Lakers organization and the Wizards' mascot, admitting that he should have handled the situation differently.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick addressed the situation after the suspension was handed down, defending Hayes while also acknowledging the misstep. “It was an error in judgment,” Redick said, noting that emotions can run high before tip-off but that players are expected to maintain composure.
At 25 years old, Hayes is in a pivotal stage of his career. He’s currently on a one-year, $3.45 million deal with the Lakers, and while he’s been a solid contributor off the bench-averaging 6.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and shooting an efficient 76.7% from the field in 43 games-off-court distractions like this don’t help when it comes to earning trust from the front office.
This isn’t the first time Hayes has had legal issues, and given that McCoy was previously involved in a high-profile case against him, there’s a history here that adds weight to the current situation. Whether the matter is resolved quietly or heads to court, it’s clear Hayes will need to tread carefully.
With the Lakers fighting for playoff positioning and Hayes trying to carve out a bigger role in the rotation, this is not the kind of attention he-or the team-wants. The next move could have implications not just legally, but professionally as well.