Jaxson Hayes of the L.A. Lakers
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WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 30: Jaxson Hayes #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after dunking the ball against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on January 30, 2026 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Amid all the fun and excitement of the NBA Trade Deadline came a news story about some abhorrent on-court behavior that could not go unredressed.
Shams Charania of ESPN was the first of many to report that Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has been suspended by the NBA for one game, after an on-court altercation in a recent game against the Washington Wizards. Although with that being said, “on-court” is perhaps a somewhat generous way of describing it.
Hayes has been suspended for pushing the Wizards’ mascot, G-Man, during pre-game introductions. As G-Man was running the length of the court holding the Wizards’ flag during player introductions, he passed the Lakers bench, whereupon Hayes was seen – by some, at least – to hit him with a shoulder barge.
The suspension will be served on February 5, when the Lakers are scheduled to host the Philadelphia 76ers.
Shams Charania
Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has been suspended one game for pushing a Wizards mascot.
Some Viewers May Find The Footage Disturbing
The report by Charania et al came as something of a surprise to the majority of Lakers fans, as few had even noticed it happened. Taking place during the pre-game ceremony – which is largely not broadcast anyway – the incident also took place in the corner of the court in a darkened arena and was over in a flash. Only those in the immediate proximity, anyone with a particularly eagle eye, Hayes, whoever was in the G-Man outfit, and someone incredibly vigilant in the NBA’s punishment office, will even had noticed it took place.
One keen Instagram user, however, has found some footage. In it, Hayes can be seen rising to check the mascot, in a way that seems hard to deny deliberate intent of. The broadcast cut away abruptly, not showing any aftermath, although seemingly at least one Wizards cheerleader was collected in the resulting litany of bodies.
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Lakers Lose Piece Of Frontcourt Depth
Hayes, who is 25 years old and in his seventh NBA season, has primarily served as a reserve center for the Lakers during the 2025-26 campaign. In 41 games played, he has started only four, and averaged 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists while shooting 77.5 percent from the field
Prior to joining the Lakers in the summer of 2023, Hayes was selected eighth overall in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks and traded on draft night to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he spent the first four years of his NBA career. During his time with the Pelicans, he averaged 7.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, before signing with the Lakers in free agency after the 2022–23 season.
Hayes started 35 of 56 games for the Lakers during the 2024–25 season and has been a rotational contributor in his three seasons with the team. Even as a rotational piece whom they are seeking to upgrade on at the deadline, his absence for one game can have measurable effects on minutes distribution and matchup planning. Such is the heinous nature of his conduxt, though, that the NBA could not leave it to go unpunished. As of the time of writing, the International Criminal Court at the Hague have yet to comment on the story.