The individual behind Washington Wizards’ mascot, G-Wiz, has reportedly retained Waukeen McCoy as his legal counsel against LA Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes. McCoy, a San Francisco-based attorney, previously represented Hayes’ former girlfriend in a domestic violence lawsuit.
During pregame introductions before the Lakers’ game against the Wizards on Jan. 30, Hayes shoved G-Wiz. As a result, the NBA suspended Hayes for one game.
According to TMZ on Tuesday, McCoy confirmed he will represent the person behind the mascot, who is expected to press charges.
“We will give them the opportunity to resolve the matter before taking legal action,” McCoy told TMZ. “But legal action is anticipated.”
McCoy is familiar with the Lakers big man, as he helped obtain a settlement for Hayes’ former girlfriend, Sofia Jamora, in a lawsuit against him in June.
Hayes was arrested in 2021 after authorities received a domestic violence call from his then-girlfriend, Jamora. Hayes also reportedly got into a physical altercation with the police who responded. He received three years of probation, community service and domestic violence classes.
In 2024, after TMZ released a video of the 2021 incident, the NBA said that it would reopen its investigation into Hayes. However, the league has not handed down any punishment for that incident.
What did Jaxson Hayes say about shoving the Wizards’ mascot?
LA Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes served his one-game suspension against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. He returned to the team in Saturday’s 105-99 win over the Golden State Warriors.
In his postgame media availability, Hayes was asked about the shoving incident with the Washington Wizards’ mascot.
“Obviously apologized to the team, to the mascot,” Hayes said on Saturday. “I mean, we’re all trying to get ourselves in the mental space and the physical space to get ready to go out and play a game, and when somehow I’m stretching, and somebody steps on my foot, I might have lost it.
“Should have handled it a different way, and we live, and we learn, and so just going to keep doing that again.”
After being shoved by Jaxson Hayes, the mascot fell toward several Wizards dancers who were entering the court. The mascot’s lawyer, Waukeen McCoy, told TMZ on Tuesday that the individual behind the mascot was injured.
Edited by Kim Daniel Rubinos