Christian Wood Granted Sole Custody After Alleging Murder-for-Hire Plot in Explosive Legal Battle
Los Angeles, January 3, 2026 In a legal ruling that has sent shockwaves through the NBA community, former Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks center Christian Wood has been awarded temporary sole legal custody of his two-year-old son, Kobe Sean Wood. The decision comes amidst a harrowing set of court filings in which Wood accuses his ex-girlfriend, social media influencer Yasmine Lopez, of involvement in a sophisticated attempt on his life.
The Ruling and the Restraining Order
The Superior Court of California’s ruling grants Wood, 30, primary protection and custody, significantly altering the dynamic between the co-parents. Under the terms of the temporary restraining order, Lopez must remain at least 100 yards away from both Wood and their son.
This legal victory for Wood follows a turbulent period for the former couple, who dated briefly from August to December 2022. While custody battles are common in high-profile splits, the severity of the allegations in this case—specifically regarding a violent home invasion—has elevated this beyond a standard family court dispute.
The “November 5” Incident: A Hit or a Heist?
The core of Wood’s argument for emergency protection centers on a terrifying incident that occurred on November 5, 2025. According to court documents obtained by major outlets, Wood was alone at his rental home when he heard suspicious noises.
Wood alleges that three men attempted to break into his residence in broad daylight. The 6’10” forward claims he was forced to fire his weapon to disperse the intruders, who promptly fled. In his filing, Wood argues this was not a random robbery, noting that there had been no similar break-ins within a 10-mile radius.
Crucially, Wood alleges the timing was calculated. He claims the intruders struck specifically when he was known to be home, and he linked the event to Lopez’s behavior, describing her as “unusually vague” about visitation schedules that week. He further cited a disturbing social media post made by Lopez shortly before the incident—a King Von song referencing murder-for-hire—as circumstantial evidence of a plot against him.
Lopez’s Denial and Counter-Claims
Yasmine Lopez has vehemently denied all allegations regarding the break-in or any plot to harm Wood. In her own filings, she expressed shock at the shooting incident, stating, “When I learned… that a gun had been fired inside his home, my heart dropped.” She maintains she has not been contacted by the LAPD as a suspect because there is “no evidence connecting me to anything criminal.”
Lopez has filed her own petition for protection, alleging a history of domestic abuse. Her filings cite incidents from October 2025 and February 2024, accusing Wood of physical aggression during custody exchanges and verbal abuse. She had requested sole custody, arguing that Wood is unfit, but the court’s recent ruling has firmly sided with Wood for the interim.
A History of Volatility
This is not the first time the pair’s disputes have spilled into the public eye. In 2024, Wood was granted a previous restraining order after Lopez allegedly trespassed at his residence and vandalized his Mercedes-Benz. The recurring nature of these altercations paints a picture of a deeply fractured relationship that has now culminated in serious criminal accusations and a strict separation mandated by the court.
