Lakers' Jaxson Hayes Faces Possible Lawsuit Over Mascot Shove

Incident during pregame warmups leads to NBA suspension and potential legal action.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Los Angeles Lakers forward Jaxson Hayes may face a lawsuit after shoving the Washington Wizards' mascot, G-Wiz, during pregame introductions on January 30. The shove, which was broadcast live, resulted in Hayes receiving a one-game suspension from the NBA. The individual inside the mascot costume has now retained legal counsel and is considering taking legal action against Hayes.

Why it matters

This incident raises questions about player-mascot interactions and the potential legal implications of physical altercations during NBA games. As a key bench player for the Lakers, any off-court distractions could impact team dynamics and Hayes' role moving forward.

The details

According to reports, the mascot sustained an injury from the push, though details about the extent of the injury remain undisclosed. The lawyer representing the mascot individual, Waukeen McCoy, has indicated they are open to settling the issue without initiating a lawsuit. Following his suspension, Hayes acknowledged the incident and apologized to both the Wizards team and the person in the mascot suit.

  • On January 30, Hayes shoved the Washington Wizards' mascot, G-Wiz, during pregame introductions.
  • On February 3, Hayes spoke to reporters and confirmed he apologized to the Wizards team and the person in the mascot suit on the night of the incident.
  • The NBA suspended Hayes for one game due to the altercation.

The players

Jaxson Hayes

A Los Angeles Lakers forward who is known for his solid but low-profile contributions as a key bench player and the primary backup for starting center Deandre Ayton.

G-Wiz

The Washington Wizards' mascot, who was shoved by Jaxson Hayes during pregame introductions on January 30.

Waukeen McCoy

The lawyer representing the individual inside the G-Wiz mascot costume, who is considering taking legal action against Jaxson Hayes.

Sofia Jamora

An individual who previously filed a domestic violence lawsuit against Jaxson Hayes, represented by the same lawyer now representing the G-Wiz mascot individual.

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What they’re saying

“I obviously apologized to the team and to the mascot. We all try to get ourselves into the mental space and physical space before we play a game. When I am stretching, and somebody steps on my foot, I might have lost it. I should have handled it in a different way. We live and we learn.”

— Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers Forward (Twitter)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the mascot individual to pursue a lawsuit against Jaxson Hayes.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for better protocols and training around player-mascot interactions during NBA games, as well as the potential legal risks for players who engage in physical altercations, even if unintentional. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how such situations are handled in the future.