Jaxson Hayes suspended for shoving mascot before Lakers-Wizards game

Story byJaxson Hayes suspended for shoving mascot before Lakers-Wizards gameJace Evans, USA TODAYThu, February 5, 2026 at 1:41 AM UTC·1 min read

Los Angeles Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes was handed a one-game suspension by the NBA "for pushing a Washington Wizards mascot during pregame introductions," the league said in a statement on Wednesday, Feb. 4.

Hayes shoved the Wizards' mascot, G-Wiz, during pregame introductions before the Jan. 30 game in Washington. The mascot had been running with a giant flag when Hayes, 25, made contact, sending the mascot careening into cheerleaders running onto the court, video of the incident shows.

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The Lakers will be without Hayes for Thursday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jaxson Hayes pushes mascot, receives suspension from NBA

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