NBA reopens Jaxson Hayes investigation

The NBA will reopen its investigation into a domestic violence incident involving Lakers center Jackson Hayesaccording to Dave McMenamin of ESPN.

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

“As a result of the media report and video posted this morning, we are reopening our investigation,” NBA spokesman Mike Bass said.

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

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

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

Police body camera video showed Hayes fighting with officers, who twice used a stun gun after ordering him to leave the home so they could speak with the alleged victim. He told police that Jamora had “thrown some things” at him during their argument. Hayes was treated at a hospital after the arrest, and an officer Hayes threw against a wall was treated for an elbow injury.

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

“There has already been an extensive investigation that we cooperated with the league on, and as 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 Hayes fought with, “previously met with Hayes’ attorneys and was financially compensated by Hayes for unknown reasons.”

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