Los Angeles Lakers

Nearly two weeks after Lakers forward Jaxson Hayes shoved Washington Wizards mascot G-Wiz during pregame introductions ... TMZ Sports has learned that the person behind the mask has lawyered up -- and has selected the attorney that represented Sofia Jamora in her domestic violence lawsuit against Hayes.

Waukeen McCoy told us that he is now representing the person Hayes decked when the Lakers were in town for a showdown with Washington on January 30.

"We will give them the opportunity to resolve the matter before taking legal action," McCoy said. "But legal action is anticipated."

The attorney who represented Jaxson Hayes' ex-girlfriend in a domestic violence lawsuit against the Lakers' big man is ripping the NBA after it handed down a suspension for shoving a mascot ... telling TMZ Sports he feels the league doesn't have its priorities in order.

Hayes was hit with a one-game ban for his run-in with the Washington Wizards' mascot on Jan. 30 ... and Waukeen McCoy is scratching his head at the Association's swift action.

"They gave him a one-game suspension, that's ridiculous," McCoy said.

Jaxson Hayes found himself in a bizarre beef with a giant bird -- and the NBA just ruled in the mascot’s favor.

The league announced Wednesday that Hayes has been suspended one game without pay for shoving the Wizards’ costumed character, G-Wiz, in pregame introductions before the Lakers’ 142-111 win on Jan. 30 in D.C.

Video of the bizarre moment shows Hayes decking the mascot to the floor while the character was exiting the court -- a move the league clearly didn’t find funny.

G-Wiz wasn’t injured in the scuffle, according to a report by The Athletic ... but the NBA still ruled the behavior crossed the line and slapped Hayes with the punishment anyway.

LeBron James’ homecoming hit different Wednesday night … and it might’ve been a final bow.

After the Lakers got smacked 129-99 by the Cavaliers in Cleveland, James didn’t sound like a guy planning many more trips back to Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The 41-year-old flat-out admitted the thought crossed his mind that this “very well could be” his last game ever in The Land.

And yeah, it showed.

Lamar Odom is getting professional help -- TMZ Sports is told the NBA champion checked into rehab after his recent DUI arrest.

Odom entered a 30-day treatment program at the iRely Recovery facility in Los Angeles ... after his run-in with police sparked some triggers from his past that he wanted to address.

The former Lakers star is looking to shake marijuana  ... as he was afraid his smoking could lead to doing hard drugs again, his manager, Gina Rodriguez, told us.

Lakers boss Jeanie Buss has reportedly been quietly losing patience with LeBron James … and the spark? Gratitude -- or, the lack of it.

Buss was privately fuming behind the scenes after the team drafted Bronny James with the 55th pick in 2024 ... because King James didn’t exactly show his appreciation, according to an ESPN report on how family infighting drove the $10 billion sale of the iconic franchise.

Buss saw the pick as a major gesture of loyalty to the James family, and she expected a little appreciation from LeBron, but instead, she believes he shrugged it off, and it irked Jeanie.

LeBron James didn’t just beat the Nuggets Tuesday night … he toyed with them, and one tiny hand motion turned into the loudest moment of the game.

Cameras caught King James at one point in the night looking toward Denver’s bench, grinning and pretending his hand was a jack-in-the-box -- with his middle finger being the "jack."

Was it a flip-off? Not quite. Was it accidental? Not a chance. There's actually a familiar face on that bench -- his old buddy and teammate, Jared Dudley ... so the one-finger salute could have been out of love.

Cops say Lamar Odom had bloodshot, watery eyes and his car reeked of weed before he was arrested for DUI ... and claim the ex-NBA star fessed up to smoking marijuana earlier in the day.

TMZ Sports has obtained more details on the former Laker's arrest -- officers say they were patrolling the streets around 2 AM on Saturday when a black SUV pulled up from behind at a high rate of speed.

Cops say the car then zoomed past the cruiser and registered 106 MPH on a radar ... and emergency lights and sirens were activated.

For the first time in 21 years, LeBron James was NOT named an All-Star starter ... meaning if the King is gonna take part in this season's festivities, it won't be because of the fans.

The NBA's starting fives for the Eastern and Western Conferences dropped minutes ago ... and while there's plenty of star power for next month's event at the Intuit Dome, LBJ's name was notably missing.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey, Cade Cunningham, and Jaylen Brown were the top five fan vote-getters in the East ... and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Steph Curry, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, and Bron's superstar teammate, Luka Doncic, got the nod in the West.

LeBron James is admitting he's at the point in his life where working two days in a row will be a rare occurrence ... telling reporters on Tuesday his status for back-to-back games is officially "TBD" moving forward.

After scoring 30 points and earning eight rebounds and eight assists in the Purple and Gold's 111-103 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, the King got pretty animated when asked about the quick turnaround and suiting up for L.A.'s matchup with the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

"Every back-to-back for the rest of the season is [to be determined]," LeBron said. "I am 41. I got the most minutes in NBA history. Bank it right now."

Collaborating together since 2010, Chris Brown and Tyga recently hit the Lakers game court-side, but do think you've got the skills to track down the changes in these two swaggy snaps?!

Tyga wrapped rapped up in some icy chains -- with his sleeves exposed -- and Chris paired his baggy pants with a hat and shades!

Popular streamer Stable Ronaldo had a run-in with security at the Los Angeles Lakers game on Tuesday ... claiming he was told he's too popular to record content at his courtside seat.

The social media star -- who boasts millions of followers on Twitch -- was documenting his time at Crypto.com Arena to support LeBron James on his 41st birthday ... when at one point before tipoff, a staffer tapped him on the shoulder and asked to have a chat in the tunnels.

Stable Ronaldo -- real name Rani Netz -- said he received a warning from officials and was told if he streamed the game or himself, he'd be ejected.

Netz claimed a "lady" said otherwise ... but NBA rules are clear as day when it comes to broadcasting actual game footage, so it's no surprise the staffers relayed that policy.

Netz asked for a "reason" for not being able to stream himself ... and he claimed he was told it's because he's "too big" and there was a fear his fans would flock to him and cause a distraction throughout the night.

The guy behind the camera said he was told they were "making too much of a scene" and were instructed not to heckle any players or try to get LeBron's attention ... and Netz said he would be do that regardless of whether he's streaming or not.

Also no surprise -- the Association has a Fan Code of Conduct ... which is in place to make sure spectators don't cross the line when interacting with players.

LeBron James just made his 41st trip around the sun ... and the Los Angeles Lakers shared how they celebrated the four-time NBA champion at practice ... with rookie Adou Thiero leading the team in singing "Happy Birthday!"

L.A. shared its post-workout festivities on Tuesday, showing off a cake with the King James logo and a crown on top. But before the team could dive in, Thiero had to serenade the future Hall of Famer.

While the voice probably wouldn't get him far on "American Idol" ... the rook didn't sound too bad. Especially considering he was put on the spot, it gets an A+ for effort in our books!!

LeBron James is gearing up for what will be his record-setting 20th NBA Christmas Day game later this week ... and the King is opening up on always having to work on the holiday -- saying he'd much rather be on the couch with his fam.

James made the comments following the Lakers' loss to the Clippers over the weekend ... when he was asked why Christmas basketball matters to him.

"It's the game that I love," James said. "It's a game I watched when I was a kid on Christmas Day, watching a lot of the greatest play the game on Christmas. It's always been an honor to play it."

But the 40-year-old was honest with reporters -- while he knows the impact of playing in these games -- he wishes he could also soak in the special day like the rest of the world gets to enjoy it.

The brother of Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua was arrested in West Hollywood over the weekend ... after he and another man allegedly took a BMW SUV from Lakers player Adou Thiero without permission.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed to us on Thursday that Samson Nacua, 27, and Trey Rose, 27, were placed into custody for Taking a Vehicle Without the Owner's Consent.

"Deputies were flagged down in the 8400 block of Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, and contacted the victim who stated his newer model BMW was stolen, and he was able to track it to that location," cops said.

Los Angeles Lakers minority owner Jeanie Buss is adding to her real estate portfolio ... shelling out $4.2 million for a stunning beachfront home.

TMZ Sports has learned ... the 2,252 square-foot property sits right on the beach in the Playa del Rey neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The oceanfront retreat -- sold by Dena Luciano of Douglas Elliman and co-listed with Berkshire Hathaway's Yvette Busot -- was built in 1956 and features four bedrooms and three bathrooms.