Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes has been suspended one game by the NBA for shoving Washington Wizards mascot G-Wiz, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.
After the news surfaced, Bleacher Report shared a clip of the incident, which occurred during pregame introductions, prior to Friday’s game between the Wizards and Lakers. G-Wiz can be seen running to the baseline of the court while carrying a giant flag when Hayes inexplicably pushed the mascot to the ground.
Sources tell Dan Woike of The Athletic that G-Wiz was not hurt.
Charania reported last week that Hayes accepted an invitation to compete in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend later this month, joining Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren and San Antonio Spurs forward Carter Bryant.
Mascots have assisted participants in the past. Could we be in for a Hayes and G-Wiz collaboration?