Sex Toy Thrown on Court: Third WNBA Incident in a Week Disrupts LA Sparks vs Indiana Fever Game
During a WNBA game between the Los Angeles Sparks and Indiana Fever at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, a sex toy was hurled onto the court, marking the third such incident in the league over the past week. The object was thrown towards Fever guard Sophie Cunningham during the second quarter.
Cunningham had earlier appealed to fans on social media to stop tossing such items, but was struck on the leg by the toy during Tuesday’s game. After the match, she expressed her dismay on X, replying to her previous post urging spectators to refrain from such behavior with the comment, “this did NOT age well.” She also posted a message on Instagram Stories, stating, “No way that thing actually hit me. I knew I shouldn’t have tweeted that.”
The game was briefly halted following the incident. Sparks guard Kelsey Plum swiftly kicked the toy off the court, prompting boos from the crowd and pointed fingers towards the alleged perpetrator.
In a statement to CNN, the Sparks said, “During last night’s game, an object was thrown onto the court by a fan. Crypto.com Arena security responded immediately and removed the item without delay, allowing the game to resume safely and without further interruption.” They further condemned such behavior, stating that any actions which disrupt the game or compromise safety would not be tolerated.
The WNBA and Indiana Fever have been contacted for comment by CNN Sports. Sparks coach Lynne Roberts expressed her disapproval after her team’s 100-91 win, stating, “I think it’s ridiculous, it’s dumb, it’s stupid… It’s also dangerous and players’ safety is No. 1.”
This latest incident follows two similar occurrences in the league over the past seven days. On Friday, a sex toy was thrown from the stands at Wintrust Arena in Chicago during the Golden State Valkyries’ 73-66 win over the Chicago Sky. The toy landed just out of bounds underneath one of the baskets. This was preceded by a similar incident three days prior during Valkyries’ 77-75 victory over the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.
The individual responsible for the incident in Atlanta was identified and arrested, according to the WNBA. They are reportedly charged with disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent exposure, and criminal trespass, with a court date yet to be established.
Green toys were also reportedly thrown in Phoenix and New York, although they did not reach the court. The league has warned that any fan caught engaging in such behavior will face prosecution as well as a ban from the league. As a spokesperson for the WNBA stated, “Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans.”