(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 Enviornment in Los Angeles, a inexperienced toy was thrown within the route of Fever guard Sophie Cunningham.
The 28-year-old had beforehand requested individuals to cease throwing such objects earlier this week on social media however seemed to be struck on the leg by the toy throughout Tuesday’s recreation.
“this did NOT age effectively,” she wrote on the social media platform X after the sport, replying to her personal earlier publish calling for spectators to cease throwing intercourse toys on the court docket.
She additionally posted a message on her Instagram Tales, saying: “No method that factor truly 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 area 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 believe it’s ridiculous, it’s dumb, it’s silly,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts advised reporters after her group’s 100-91 win.
“It’s additionally harmful and gamers’ security is No. 1. Respecting the sport. All these issues. I believe it’s actually silly.”
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 Enviornment 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 Enviornment in School Park, Georgia.
The person concerned within the incident in Atlanta was recognized and arrested, in response to the WNBA.
They’re reportedly charged with disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent publicity, and felony trespass, in response to Reuters, with a court docket date but to be established.
In keeping 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 partaking in such conduct will face prosecution in addition to a ban from the league.
“The protection and well-being of everybody in our arenas is a prime precedence for our league,” a WNBA spokesperson advised 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 keeping with WNBA Enviornment Safety Requirements, any fan who deliberately throws an object onto the court docket can be instantly ejected and face a minimal one-year ban along with being topic to arrest and prosecution by native authorities.”
