One video clip, shared to X, shows a player quickly kicking away the offending object (https://x.com/PFTCommenter)
People keep throwing adult toys during Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) games, and players have had enough.
Tuesday’s (5 August) game between the Indiana Fever and the Los Angeles Sparks marked the third game interrupted by a rogue sex toy in under two weeks.
Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham urged fans to stop the behaviour via a tweet days earlier, after the second incident took place during a 1 August Golden State Valkyries vs. Chicago Sky game. She appeared to later be targeted during the 5 August game.
Although the initial scenario quickly became the subject of internet memes, it appeared to be the start of a more sinister string of repeated incidents. WNBA players are now urging courtside attendees to stop the downright “disrespectful”, dangerous and misogynistic behaviour.
Chicago Sky player Elizabeth Williams said during a post-game press conference, “I don’t really get the point of it. It’s really immature. Whoever is doing it needs to grow up.”
Tuesday’s Indiana Fever vs. Los Angeles Sparks game marked the third interrupted by a thrown sex toy in 10 days. (Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said the same day, “It’s ridiculous. It’s dumb. It’s stupid.
“It’s also dangerous, and you know, player safety is No. 1, [and] respecting the game.”
New York Liberty forward Isabelle Harrison took to social media following the 1 August incident, “Please do better. It’s not funny. Never was funny. Throwing ANYTHING on the court is so dangerous.”
Why are adult toys being thrown at WNBA players on the court?
It was first reported that a flying adult toy landed on the court at a WNBA game at the end of last month, when a bright green dildo was launched towards the players during a Golden State Valkyries vs. Atlanta Dream game.
Just days later, during a 1 August game, a second sex toy was thrown onto the court while the Golden State Valkyries played against Chicago Sky, as per the Guardian.
An onlooker reportedly attempted to carry out a third incident at the Barclays Center in New York during a New York Liberty vs Dallas Wings game on 5 August. According to the social media user who shared the incident, the attempt failed to reach the court, but is alleged to have nearly hit a child in the crowd.
The New York Post reported that both the Liberty and New York Police Department are investigating the incident.
stop throwing dildos on the court… you’re going to hurt one of us.
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) August 2, 2025
It’s not clear why so many sex toys are being tossed towards WNBA players, but the majority of people making jokes about it appear to be straight, cisgendered men. Not only have some shared their support for those causing chaos on the court, they actually believe their behaviour is pro-American.
“Throwing sex toys is protected by the first amendment. If you hate America and the constitution, I recommend leaving,” is just one of the sexist comments beneath Cunningham’s X plea. It has been liked 11,000 times at the time of writing.
“I’m sorry, I thought this was AMERICA,” read another.
ARENA SECURITY?! Hello??! Please do better. It’s not funny. never was funny. Throwing ANYTHING on the court is so dangerous.
— Isabelle Harrison (@OMG_itsizzyb) August 2, 2025
Meanwhile, a third, homophobic, comment made a sweeping statement about the sexuality of all WNBA players. “Hurt one of you? The entire league uses dildos for pleasure. Lesbians,” the person wrote.
Others echoed similar sentiments about players’ sexualities in a series of offensive tweets.
While no suspects have yet been identified in the 1 and 5 August incidents, as per Cosmopolitan, an arrest has been made following the first sex toy incident in Atlanta.
Delbert Carver, a 23-year-old, has been arrested in relation to the incident. As per ESPN, he may be facing multiple charges, including disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent exposure and criminal trespass.
In a statement, the man allegedly responded that the incident was “supposed to be a joke” and “go viral.”
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