The person behind the Washington Wizards’ mascot, G-Wiz, has retained legal counsel following an on-court shove by Los Angeles Lakers forward Jaxson Hayes during pregame introductions on January 30th. The attorney, Waukeen McCoy, also represented Sofia Jamora in a domestic violence lawsuit against Hayes, which was settled amicably in June 2025, according to Waukeen McCoy.
McCoy told TMZ Sports that he is now representing the individual who portrays G-Wiz. “We will give them the opportunity to resolve the matter before taking legal action,” McCoy said. “But legal action is anticipated.” He also indicated that other parties could potentially be involved in the legal proceedings.
The incident, which occurred before a game between the Lakers and the Wizards, quickly circulated online. A video posted to social media by Bleacher Report showed Hayes forcefully shoving the mascot. The NBA subsequently suspended Hayes for one game, a penalty he served during the Lakers’ game against the Philadelphia 76ers on February 5th.
Hayes publicly apologized for the incident, stating that it occurred after the mascot stepped on his foot. “I apologized to my teammates and to G-Wiz himself,” Hayes said, as reported by TMZ Sports. “It happened after the mascot stepped on my foot.” He added, “We live and we learn.”
McCoy, however, has been critical of the NBA’s response to the incident, particularly in comparison to how the league handled allegations of domestic violence against Hayes in the past. “If it’s a woman, they drag their feet,” McCoy stated, according to TMZ Sports.
The legal move by the mascot comes after Hayes served his one-game suspension. The situation remains fluid, with McCoy indicating a willingness to pursue legal action if a resolution isn’t reached. The extent of any injuries sustained by the person portraying G-Wiz has not been publicly detailed, with McCoy stating only that “he was injured.”
