The NBA has reopened its investigation into a 2021 incident involving Lakers center Jaxson Hayes after TMZ released a video showing a physical and verbal altercation between Hayes and his former girlfriend, Sofia Jamora.
“Following the media report and posted video this morning, we are reopening our investigation,” NBA spokesperson Mike Bass shared with ESPN.
TMZ published a 5-and-a-half minute security video from the incident, timestamped July 28, 2021, beginning at 1:35 a.m.
Jaxson Hayes might be done.
NBA is investigating this video of him with his gf. pic.twitter.com/iAJwrDZA2j
— BricksCenter (@BricksCenter) November 3, 2024
Hayes (who played for the Pelicans at the time) can be seen and heard arguing with Jamora. He appears to pull Jamora out of a doorway and she can be heard in the video saying, “Stop. Let go of me,”. Hayes responds with, “What the f*** is wrong with you?”
The recording continues to show Hayes and Jamora leaving the home and arguing in the driveway. “I’m not going to let you hit me anymore,” Jamora says in the video. “What the f*** do I look like, a punching bag?”
Shortly after she says that, Hayes is seen walking away and then turns and spits in her direction.
Police arrived at the scene in Woodland Hills, California, following a call about a domestic disturbance, which led to Hayes’ arrest.
In June 2022, Hayes was sentenced to three years’ probation, 450 hours of community service, and a year of weekly domestic violence education.
The NBA did not penalize Hayes following its initial inquiry into the arrest.
“We previously cooperated fully with the NBA’s investigation and will continue to do so now that it’s being reopened,” a representative for Hayes told ESPN on Saturday.
The Lakers center was also ordered to pay restitution, as confirmed by Rob Wilcox, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.
Bodycam footage from police showed Hayes in an altercation with officers, during which he was tased after officers requested he leave the residence so they could question a woman inside.
Hayes informed officers that the woman was his girlfriend and had “been throwing some things” at him while they argued.
After the confrontation, Hayes received medical treatment at a hospital, while an officer who Hayes reportedly pushed against a wall was treated for an elbow injury.
Despite the fact it has been three years since the 2021 incident, a new legal case surfaced this week.
On Tuesday, Jamora’s attorneys filed a lawsuit obtained by ESPN, alleging that officer Robert T. Tamate (who had scuffled with Hayes) had previously met with Hayes’s attorneys and received monetary compensation from Hayes, though details are not specified.
“Acknowledging the NBA’s firm policy against domestic violence, the victim is prepared to cooperate fully with any additional investigation into Hayes’ behavior,” a spokesperson for Jamora stated to ESPN.
Hayes declined to comment to reporters on Sunday after the Lakers’ practice in Toronto.