Lakers’ Jaxson Hayes suspended 1 game after pushing Wizards mascot ‘G‑Wiz.’

By
EDGARDO HERNAL
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LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has been suspended for one game without pay by the National Basketball Association (NBA) after an unusual pregame incident in which he pushed the Washington Wizards’ mascot, “G‑Wiz,” the league announced Wednesday.

The incident occurred during pre‑game introductions on January 30 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C., just moments before the Lakers’ 142‑111 win over the Wizards. Video footage circulating online appears to show Hayes making physical contact with G‑Wiz, who was running across the court waving a team flag, causing the costumed character to collide with a Wizards dancer on the sideline.

The NBA’s disciplinary decision means Hayes will miss the Lakers’ February 5 home game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena. He contributed 10 points, three rebounds, one assist and one steal off the bench in the game where the incident took place.

Hayes, 25, a first‑round pick (No. 8 overall) in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, joined the Lakers in 2023. This season he has averaged approximately 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 41 games.

The suspension has sparked debate among fans and analysts, with some questioning the severity of the punishment for an interaction with a mascot, a role traditionally associated with entertainment rather than competitive play. Despite the spectacle of the moment, there were no reports of significant injury to G‑Wiz or the sideline performer involved.

Hayes is expected to return to the lineup following his one‑game absence and is also listed as a participant in the NBA All‑Star Weekend’s Slam Dunk Contest on Feb. 14, offering him a chance to shift attention back to his on‑court athleticism and highlight plays.

Author profile

Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.

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