Jaxson Hayes Suspended One Game After Pregame Incident with Wizards Mascot
The NBA has handed down a one-game suspension to Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes for an unexpected and unusual pregame incident. During player introductions ahead of the Lakers’ 142-111 win over the Washington Wizards on Jan.
30, Hayes shoved G-Wiz, the Wizards’ team mascot, drawing disciplinary action from the league. He’ll serve the suspension on Feb. 5, when the Lakers host the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena.
Hayes, who logged 14 minutes in that game in Washington, finished with 10 points and three rebounds off the bench-contributing efficiently despite the odd start to the evening. He’ll be eligible to return on Feb. 7 when the Lakers continue their home stand with a matchup against the Golden State Warriors.
A Blow to a Thin Frontcourt
With Hayes sidelined, the Lakers lose a key piece of their already vulnerable interior defense. Alongside Deandre Ayton, Hayes has helped anchor a frontcourt that’s struggled to protect the rim consistently. The Lakers currently allow the second-highest opponent field goal percentage inside the restricted area, an area of concern that’s only magnified when one of their two primary bigs is unavailable.
Hayes isn’t known as a defensive stopper, but his athleticism and vertical presence still matter in a rotation that lacks depth at the five. And while rim protection may not be his calling card, what Hayes brings on the offensive end is hard to ignore.
Dunk Contest Bound-and Deservedly So
A high-flyer with serious bounce, Hayes has carved out a niche as one of the league’s more electric finishers. On Jan. 26, he made his case for All-Star Weekend with a jaw-dropping, between-the-legs dunk on a fast break-a move that quickly made the rounds on highlight reels and social media alike. That moment helped cement his invitation to the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where he’ll go head-to-head with Detroit’s Jalen Duren and San Antonio rookie Carter Bryant.
It’s a well-earned spotlight for the 6-foot-11 center, who’s averaging 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game while shooting a blistering 77.5% from the field. That kind of efficiency, paired with his explosive athleticism, makes him a valuable change-of-pace option off the bench-especially in transition and pick-and-roll sets.
A Role in Flux
Hayes, the No. 8 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft out of Texas, has had a winding journey since entering the league. After four seasons with the Pelicans, he joined the Lakers in 2023 and re-signed on a one-year deal this past offseason. His role has shifted throughout the year-coming off the bench in all but four of L.A.’s first 41 games-but he’s remained a steady contributor, especially in the wake of the blockbuster trade that brought Luka Dončić to Los Angeles and reshaped the team’s rotation.
Now, with a brief suspension and a dunk contest appearance on the horizon, Hayes finds himself at a fascinating crossroads-part role player, part showman, and still just 26 years old. The Lakers will miss him in the short term, but all eyes will be back on the high-flying big man soon enough.