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SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 29: Christian Wood #35 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before the game before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 29, 2023 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Former NBA player Christian Wood has reportedly been granted temporary custody of his 2-year-old son after accusing his ex, Yasmine Lopez, of being involved in a murder-for-hire plot, according to court documents obtained by Us Weekly.
Lopez has denied the allegations and has requested court protection from Wood, the report said. Lopez, 26, alleges that Wood, 30, became physical in the past.
Wood and Lopez were in a relationship from August 2022 through December 2022, during Wood’s time with the Dallas Mavericks, according to Us Weekly.
GettyLAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Christian Wood #35 of the Los Angeles Lakers runs up the court in the fourth quarter of a preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets at T-Mobile Arena on October 09, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Lakers defeated the Nets 129-126. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Christian Wood Says Ex-Girlfriend Hired Killers
The custody dispute stems from a reported break-in attempt at Wood’s home last month.
According to earlier reports, intruders ordered a pizza to Wood’s residence in November to determine whether anyone was home before attempting to break in. Wood said he grabbed a gun and fired three shots, prompting the intruders to flee.
In court filings, Wood said the incident occurred on Nov. 5, when he was alone at home and heard noises and movement around the home.
“I cautiously exited the restroom and immediately saw three men trying to break into my home. In fear for my life, I quickly ran to obtain a firearm I keep locked in my home. I discharged my firearm toward the floor, in hopes it would scare the men away,” Wood said. “I genuinely believed I was going to die.”
Wood said the men fled in a car and nothing was stolen. He also claimed there had been no similar break-ins within a 10-mile radius and emphasized that the incident occurred “when someone knew I would be home in broad daylight.”
“The only reasonable conclusion is that they were there to kill me,” Wood said.
Wood reported the incident to law enforcement, saying police launched an investigation.
He alleged Lopez may have known about the attempted break-in ahead of time, citing her behavior in the days leading up to the incident. Wood claimed Lopez was being “extremely vague and would not agree to any visitation for that week.”
Wood also alleged that approximately one hour before the shooting, Lopez posted something unusual on social media, claiming she shared “a violent King Von song with a gun emoji.”
“The lyrics of the song explicitly describe a murder for hire and retaliation killing,” Wood noted. “This post was highly unusual for Ms. Lopez, suspicious in timing, and deeply disturbing given what happened shortly after.”
In the filings, Wood cited several instances in which he alleged Lopez threatened his life.
“I am living in constant fear and hyper-awareness, worried that another attempt could happen,” he said. “I am terrified not only for myself, but for the safety of our son should he be returned to her care during this investigation.”
A court granted Wood a temporary restraining order requiring Lopez to remain at least 100 yards away from him and their son. Wood was also awarded temporary sole custody of their child, Kobe.
Yasmine Lopez Denies Involvement in Plot, Makes Claims Against Wood
In a separate filing, Lopez denied any involvement in the attempted break-in and said she learned about the incident on the day it occurred.
“When I learned, from others, not [Wood], that a gun had been fired inside his home, my heart dropped,” Lopez said. “I remember sitting on my bed holding Kobe, imagining what could have happened if he had been there during the shooting. I was shocked, scared, and confused.
CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 11: Yasmine Lopez attends the premiere of Zeus Networks’ ‘One Mo’ Chance’ on October 11, 2020 in Chatsworth, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for The Zeus Network)
“[Wood] immediately assumed that I was somehow responsible for what happened. It felt like he needed someone to blame, and I became the easiest target due to our recent disagreements over visitation.”
Lopez also stated, “I was not questioned by LAPD nor contacted by detectives, because there was no evidence connecting me to anything criminal.”
On Dec. 12, Lopez filed her own petition for a restraining order against Wood. She alleged that during a custody exchange on Oct. 23, Wood became upset after learning she had a new boyfriend and claimed he kicked and slapped her from behind while calling her a “bitch” in front of their son.
Lopez further alleged that Wood spat on her, choked her, and called her a “cheating bitch” during a Valentine’s Day celebration in Utah on Feb. 14, 2024.
She requested a restraining order and sole legal and physical custody of their son. The court granted her a restraining order.
A hearing is scheduled for Jan. 14, when the court is expected to hear arguments from both parties.
Wood was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers in February 2025 following knee surgery.
Drake Bentley is an award-winning investigative journalist and breaking news reporter for Heavy, covering football, basketball, legal affairs and entertainment. Drake has covered sports, including the NBA Finals, NFL Draft, and major trending stories, since 2019. He also reports for his hometown newspaper, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. More about Drake Bentley
