While the NBA Trade Deadline looms over the league and fans, the Los Angeles Lakers are trending for all the wrong reasons.
Returning home after a tiring road trip, the Los Angeles Lakers will be playing the Philadelphia 76ers next. Sadly, the team won’t be at full strength before facing the Joel Embiid-led team.
Lakers To Miss Jaxson Hayes in the Philadelphia 76ers Clash
Currently ranked fifth in the Western Conference, the Lakers were on an eight-day road trip. Going 5-3 while trying to improve their defense, LA was one step closer to securing a good playoff spot.
However, according to a recent statement from the team and the NBA, the Lakers will be without center Jaxson Hayes for their upcoming clash against the 76ers.
“Los Angeles Lakers center-forward Jaxson Hayes has been suspended one game without pay for pushing a Washington Wizards mascot during pre-game introductions, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations,” the statement read.
As per the league, Hayes will be suspended for just one game for reportedly pushing a mascot.
“The incident occurred during pregame introductions of the Lakers’ 142-111 win over the Wizards on Jan. 30 at Capital One Arena. Hayes will serve his suspension on Feb. 5 when the Lakers host the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena,” they concluded.
Fans had varied reactions to the event. Many asked the NBA to release actual footage of the incident, wondering how extreme the shove was. Some wondered that the situation must be serious if Hayes was being suspended for something as uncommon as a player pushing a mascot.
Some fans, however, wondered why the NBA was even bothering with tiny suspensions like this.
With the Lakers since 2023, Hayes is currently averaging 6.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game while shooting 77.5% from the field and 64.9% from the free throw line.
Having resigned with the Lakers in July last year, Hayes was in the news as fans called out the team for doing so. Many were unhappy with Hayes being picked, hoping the 25-year-old would work in their favor.
Focus Remains on Possible LeBron James Trade for the Lakers
That being said, the Lakers and their fans — despite news of Hayes’ suspension — have been overly focused on LeBron James’ uncertain future in LA.
Many believe the four-time NBA champion will end the season with the Lakers, while others believe he’s already on his way to end his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
In fact, The Athletic’s Joe Vardon and Jason Lloyd reported Cleveland as one of James’ obvious destinations.
With a 30-19 win-loss record, the Lakers will face the 76ers next on Feb. 5 at the Crypto.com Arena. And though Hayes’ suspension might cause some issues, the team is already geared up to make up for it in the NBA standings with a win.
