(CNN) — A intercourse toy was thrown onto the court docket throughout a WNBA recreation between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, the third such incident that has impacted the league over the previous week.
Within the second quarter at Crypto.com Area in Los Angeles, a inexperienced toy was thrown within the path of Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.
The 28-year-old had beforehand requested folks to cease throwing such objects earlier this week on social media however gave the impression to be struck on the leg by the toy throughout Tuesday’s recreation.
“this did NOT age well,” she wrote on the social media platform X after the sport, replying to her personal earlier submit calling for spectators to cease throwing intercourse toys on the court docket.
She additionally posted a message on her Instagram Tales, saying: “No way that thing actually hit me. I knew I shouldn’t have tweeted that.”
Tuesday’s recreation was solely halted very briefly following the incident.
After Sparks guard Kelsey Plum kicked the toy off the court docket, followers across the enviornment may very well be heard booing and seen pointing in direction of who they thought had thrown the article.
It’s unclear if the perpetrator was ever recognized or if any disciplinary motion has been taken.
CNN Sports activities has additionally reached out to the WNBA, the Los Angeles Sparks, and the Indiana Fever for remark.
“I think it’s ridiculous, it’s dumb, it’s stupid,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts instructed reporters after her crew’s 100-91 win.
“It’s also dangerous and players’ safety is No. 1. Respecting the game. All those things. I think it’s really stupid.”
Copycat conduct
Tuesday’s incident comes after two related occurrences within the league over the previous seven days.
On Friday, a intercourse toy was thrown from the stands at Wintrust Area in Chicago in the course of the Golden State Valkyries’ 73-66 win over the Chicago Sky. The toy landed simply out of bounds beneath one of many baskets.
That adopted an analogous incident three days prior throughout Valkyries’ 77-75 victory over the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Middle Area in Faculty Park, Georgia.
The person concerned within the incident in Atlanta was recognized and arrested, based on the WNBA.
They’re reportedly charged with disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent publicity, and felony trespass, based on Reuters, with a court docket date but to be established.
In line with social media posts seen by the Related Press, inexperienced toys have been additionally thrown in Phoenix and New York, however didn’t attain the court docket.
Earlier this week, the WNBA mentioned any fan caught participating in such conduct will face prosecution in addition to a ban from the league.
“The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league,” a WNBA spokesperson instructed CNN Sports activities.
“Objects of any sort thrown onto the court docket or within the seating space can pose a security danger for gamers, recreation officers, and followers.
“In line with WNBA Arena Security Standards, any fan who intentionally throws an object onto the court will be immediately ejected and face a minimum one-year ban in addition to being subject to arrest and prosecution by local authorities.”
