NBA reopens investigation into Jaxson Hayes

The NBA will reopen its investigation into a domestic violence incident Lakers center Jaxson Hayessaid ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Los Angeles police responded to a domestic violence call on July 28, 2021, involving Hayes and Sofia Jamora, his girlfriend at the time. TMZ released security camera footage of the incident on Saturday, prompting league officials to take another look at the case.

“Based on the media report and video released this morning, we are resuming our investigation.” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said.

As McMenamin relays, the video appears to show Hayes pulling Jamora out of a door as she says: “Stop. Let me go.” Hayes replies: “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Their argument continues in the driveway, where Jamora screams: “I won’t let you hit me anymore. What the hell do I look like, like a punching bag?” Hayes is later shown walking away from her and then turning to spit in her direction.

Hayes was arrested and sentenced in June 2022 to three years probation, 450 hours of community service and one year of weekly domestic violence classes. He was also ordered to pay compensation.

Police body camera video showed Hayes struggling with officers, who used a stun gun twice after they ordered him to leave the house so they could talk to the alleged victim. He told police that Jamora threw “a few things” at him during their argument. Hayes was treated at a hospital after the arrest, and an officer whom Hayes threw into a wall was treated for an elbow injury.

The NBA took no action against Hayes after its initial investigation.

“There has already been a comprehensive investigation in which we have cooperated with the league, and if that investigation reopens, we will continue to do so.” a spokesman for Hayes told McMenamin.

McMenamin adds that attorneys representing Jamora filed a lawsuit this week alleging that Robert T. Tamate, the officer with whom Hayes fought, “had previously met with Hayes' attorneys and was hired by Hayes financially compensated for unknown reasons.”

A spokeswoman for Jamora told McMenamin that she would cooperate with the NBA investigation, and a Lakers representative said: “We are cooperating with the league.”