Adult toys were thrown onto the court near Sophie Cunningham during a game in Indiana after being launched from a stand in Los Angeles, where the Sparks were playing amid a heated match on Tuesday night. The incident occurred with just over two minutes left in the second quarter when an object landed near Cunningham’s lane, and Kelsey Plum responded by kicking the toy back toward the stands.
Cunningham then approached the Sparks’ bench and laughed about the situation. Additionally, a social media post reported that another green toy was tossed into a game in New York but didn’t land on the court, instead falling close to a child in the audience.
A similar event took place a week earlier in Atlanta during the late fourth quarter of a game between the Dream and Golden State at College Park, Georgia. The WNBA reported that fans involved were arrested, ejected from the arena, and given at least a one-year ban.
On Friday, another adult toy was thrown under the basket after a whistle blew during the third quarter of Golden State’s 73-66 victory over the Sky. The player kicked the object aside before it was removed from the court.
It remains uncertain if the fan responsible for the object thrown during the Sky game has been apprehended. The league issued a statement emphasizing that the safety and enjoyment of everyone in the arena is a top priority. They warned that fans who deliberately throw objects onto the court will face an immediate one-year ban alongside possible arrest and prosecution by local authorities.
Fan Take: This troubling pattern of fan behavior not only disrupts the game but endangers players, officials, and spectators, threatening the integrity of WNBA events. It highlights the urgent need for stricter enforcement and education to ensure a respectful and safe environment for everyone involved in the sport.
