Wizards Mascot Hires Attorney Linked to Past Jaxson Hayes Case After Shove
Nearly two weeks after Jaxson Hayes shoved the Washington Wizards’ mascot during pregame introductions, the person inside the G‑Wiz costume has retained attorney Waukeen McCoy and is preparing for possible legal action. Hayes has already served a one-game suspension from the league for the incident.
What Happened on Jan. 30 (ET)
The confrontation unfolded on Jan. 30 (ET) at Capital One Arena during player introductions ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 142–111 win over Washington. Video from the floor showed Hayes extending his arms and forcefully shoving G‑Wiz as the mascot moved past him along the baseline. The push sent the performer backward and immediately sparked debate over intent, safety, and appropriate consequences for on-court personnel interactions.
Attorney Steps In, Legal Action Looms
Waukeen McCoy confirmed he now represents the performer who was in the G‑Wiz suit that night and signaled that a civil case could be next. “We will give them the opportunity to resolve the matter before taking legal action,” McCoy said. “But legal action is anticipated.” McCoy added that other parties could be involved if a claim proceeds. He also addressed the condition of his client, stating, “All I want to say at the moment is that he was injured.”
McCoy is familiar with Hayes from a previous matter. In June 2025, he helped secure a settlement in model Sofia Jamora’s domestic violence lawsuit against the Lakers big man, describing that resolution as amicable at the time.
Hayes’ Response and Apology
Hayes addressed the incident during media availability last week. He said he apologized to his Lakers teammates and to G‑Wiz, and offered his explanation for the shove: it happened after the mascot stepped on his foot during the tightly choreographed pregame sequence. The 26-year-old, who signed with Los Angeles in the offseason, did not elaborate beyond acknowledging fault and expressing remorse for the disruption it caused.
Discipline From the League
The league suspended Hayes one game without pay for pushing the mascot, specifying that he would serve the ban on Feb. 5 (ET), when the Lakers hosted the Philadelphia 76ers at Arena. He sat out that contest. The decision followed a quick review of the event footage and set a clear, if limited, disciplinary marker for physical contact with game-day entertainment staff.
Broader Friction Over Player Discipline
McCoy has previously criticized what he views as inconsistent responses in matters tied to Hayes, contrasting the swift one-game suspension in the mascot incident with slower movement in past allegations unrelated to on-court conduct. “If it’s a woman, they drag their feet,” he said shortly after the shove in Washington. His comment underscores a broader debate over how different kinds of misconduct are evaluated and penalized across the sport, particularly when incidents involve non-players and off-court allegations.
What Comes Next
With counsel now retained, the next step is likely a demand letter seeking a settlement addressing injury claims and potential damages. McCoy’s note that “other parties” could be involved suggests the scope might expand beyond Hayes to include entities tied to game operations or venue protocols. Any civil action would run parallel to basketball-related discipline already completed by the league. For the Lakers, the on-court impact has been limited to Hayes’ one-game absence; off the court, the situation bears continued monitoring as negotiations or filings develop.
The timeline remains straightforward: the shove occurred on Jan. 30 (ET), Hayes apologized in the days that followed, and he served his suspension on Feb. 5 (ET). Now, with an attorney engaged for G‑Wiz’s performer and a potential claim on the horizon, resolution could hinge on whether a settlement is reached before a lawsuit is formally filed.
