The NBA has reopened its investigation into Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes after new footage from a Ring doorbell camera showed his altercation with ex-girlfriend Sofia Jamora.
Hayes was arrested on July 28, 2021, following a domestic incident with his then-girlfriend, after Los Angeles police officers responded to a call made by Jamora’s cousin around 2:50 a.m. local time. Hayes was arrested for resisting a police officer, with one police officer needing elbow treatment after being shoved into a wall by the then-New Orleans Pelicans player.
The NBA player faced 12 misdemeanor charges and was sentenced to three years of probation and 450 hours of community service in June 2022 and was also made to attend a year of weekly domestic violence classes. Following his charges in Los Angeles County, the NBA chose not to take any disciplinary action against him
However, new footage was obtained and released by TMZ on Saturday, and now the NBA has reopened the investigation on Hayes. “As a result of the media report and video posted on Saturday, we are reopening our investigation,” an NBA spokesperson told the Southern California News Group on Sunday.
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The new footage is made up of several timestamps totaling over five minutes and sees Hayes arguing with Jamora for over 30 minutes. The first timestamp is at 1:35 a.m. on July 28, 2021, and Jamora can be heard saying: “Stop. Let go of me.”
Hayes appeared to pull Jamora from a doorway, and he replied, “(Expletive) What’s wrong with you?” At 1:57 a.m., Jamora can be heard saying, “Stop touching me,” as she appeared to be going upstairs inside the house with Hayes.
At 2:02 a.m., both Hayes and Jamora can be seen on the driveway of the residence, with Jamora saying:, “I’m not going to let you hit me anymore. What the [expletive] do I look like, a punching bag? Get in the car and leave.”
Hayes played for the New Orleans Pelicans at the time of the initial investigation. (
Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
In response, Hayes appears to brush past Jamora before spitting in her direction. Jamora then said: “Ow, what is your problem?” Hayes then walked off and could no longer be seen on the doorbell camera.
After the comment, Hayes appears to bump into Jamora, who replies, “Ow, what is your problem?” The video showed Hayes turning his head back to Jamora and spitting toward her before walking out of frame.
The Lakers addressed Hayes’ incident when signing him to a two-year, $4.6 million contract in July 2023, with general manager Rob Pelinka explaining that the player has apologized and grown from the incident. “The most important thing is we take those things very seriously and do a full vetting process,” Pelinka said after signing Hayes.
Hayes signed a two-year, $4.6 million contract with the Lakers in July 2023. (
2023 NBAE)
“Jaxson has been very sincere [in] his apologies around handling that and has moved beyond it to where he’s had a year or two in the NBA playing after it. It was something that we felt like he owned, took responsibility for it, and is going to be a better person on the other side of it.”
Hayes played for the Lakers on Nov. 1 as they secured a 131-125 win over the Toronto Raptors, one day before the footage was posted by TMZ. The team continued to train in Toronto on Sunday, but Los Angeles declined any requests made by the media to speak with Hayes.
“We’re obviously aware that the investigation has been reopened, and we’re going to cooperate fully,” Head coach JJ Redick said. “But other than that, I’m not going to have another comment on that.”
The Mirror US Sports has reached out to Hayes’ representatives for comment.
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