Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has been suspended by the NBA for one game after he pushed the Wizards mascot during pregame introductions last week.
As the Wizards mascot, G-Wiz, ran across the floor with a flag ahead of a game last Friday, Hayes shoved him, knocking him into the air. G-Wiz collided with a cheerleader who was running onto the floor. You can check out video of the incident here.
Jaxson Hayes is set to miss the Lakers game against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. He has been suspended without pay, the NBA announced.
Hayes, a former Texas star, is in his third season with the Lakers after beginning his NBA career with the New Orleans Pelicans. He was drafted by New Orleans with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
This season, Hayes is averaging 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. He has appeared in 41 games and made four starts for a Lakers team that is 30-19.
During Friday’s game against the Wizards, the day the incident happened, Hayes scored 10 points and grabbed 3 rebounds in 13 minutes off the bench.
In 408 career games played, the 7-foot center is averaging 6.8 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.