The Washington Wizards mascot has hired an A-list lawyer—here’s why originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Washington Wizards‘ mascot is taking legal steps after an on-court incident involving Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes, and the situation has quickly escalated beyond a routine NBA dust-up.
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According to TMZ, the performer behind G-Wiz — the Washington Wizards mascot — has retained attorney Waukeen McCoy following a pregame altercation on Jan. 30 between the Wizards and Lakers. During player introductions, G-Wiz sprinted across the floor waving a team flag when Hayes, rising from a crouched position near the sideline, made forceful contact with the mascot. McCoy has stated that the contact resulted in injury.
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The NBA responded by suspending Hayes for one game. Hayes later addressed the incident publicly.
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“I obviously apologize to [my] team, to the mascot,” Hayes said. “We all try to get ourselves into the mental space, in the physical space to get ready and go out and play a game. And when I’m stretching, and somebody steps on my foot, I might have lost it and should have handled it a different way. So, we live, and we learn.”
That apology has not closed the matter. McCoy told TMZ that legal action remains a possibility.
“We will give them the opportunity to resolve the matter before taking legal action,” McCoy said. “But legal action is anticipated.”
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The attorney is no stranger to Hayes. McCoy previously represented Hayes’ former girlfriend, Sofia Jamora, in a domestic violence lawsuit stemming from a 2021 incident that led to Hayes’ arrest.
Police arrested Hayes on July 28, 2021, after responding to a dispute between the two. Video later published by TMZ showed Hayes preventing Jamora from leaving a residence while she repeatedly said, “Don’t touch me.” At one point she told him, “I’m not going to let you hit me anymore. What the f–k do I look like a punching bag?”
Officers who arrived at the scene engaged in a physical confrontation with Hayes outside the home. Bodycam footage captured Hayes saying he couldn’t breathe as officers restrained him; he was tased twice during the altercation. An internal review later determined officers violated department policy by kneeling on Hayes’ neck for approximately 15 seconds.
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Hayes ultimately pleaded no contest to misdemeanor false imprisonment and resisting an officer. He received three years of probation, 450 hours of community service and one year of weekly domestic violence classes. He also paid $150,000 related to injuries sustained by an officer, according to ESPN. The civil lawsuit filed by Jamora was dismissed in June 2025 after being “settled amicably,” McCoy told TMZ.