Lakers' Jaxson Hayes suspended for pushing Wizards mascot

Field Level Media|published: 02/04/2026, 4:07pm EST

Jan 20, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) reacts towards the Denver Nuggets bench in the fourth quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes was suspended for one game without pay for pushing a Washington Wizards mascot, the league announced on Wednesday.

Hayes, 25, will serve his suspension Thursday when the Lakers host the Philadelphia 76ers.

Hayes pushed the mascot during pregame introductions ahead of the Lakers' 142-111 road win over the Wizards on Jan. 30.

A first-round pick (No. 8 overall) of the Atlanta Hawks in the 2019 NBA Draft, Hayes averages 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists over 41 games this season.

Over parts of seven seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans (2019-23) and Lakers, he has posted averages of 6.8 points, 3.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists in 408 games (91 starts).

--Field Level Media