Los Angeles police officers arrested a male spectator Thursday night after he allegedly threw a green sex toy onto the hardwood during a WNBA matchup between the Atlanta Dream and the Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. The disruptive incident occurred with under 3 minutes remaining in the third quarter while Sparks forward Jihyun Park prepared to shoot a free throw.
The object landed on the court and bounced near the feet of Park, prompting referees to blow the whistle and immediately halt the action.
Atlanta forward Angel Reese pointed directly at the perpetrator from the bench as the individual, dressed in a Luka Doncic jersey, attempted to run through the stands and pushed past venue staff before security personnel detained him.
Sparks forward Cameron Brink assisted staff in clearing the playing area by sliding a towel over the foreign object and kicking it toward courtside personnel for removal.
The league previously instituted strict security measures to address thrown items, maintaining a formal policy that mandates a minimum one-year ban from all league events alongside active criminal prosecution.
“The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league,” the WNBA stated regarding its venue security guidelines.
After the brief interruption, the game resumed without further delay, and Atlanta went on to secure a 124-88 road victory over Los Angeles.
WNBA has Faced Growing Disruptions
Thursday’s disruption marked the return of a recurring pattern that previously interrupted multiple WNBA games during the 2025 season. During that stretch of disturbances across different arenas, Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve addressed the repeated incidents during a postgame press conference.
“Obviously you guys know what the object is,” Reeve said. “I just want to comment on this has been going on for centuries, the sexualization of women. This is the latest version of that and it’s not fun.” Reeve emphasized her frustration by stating, “The people who are doing this should be held accountable. We are not the butt of the joke. They are the problem.”
Law enforcement officials confirmed the detained spectator faces multiple charges, including disorderly conduct and trespassing, as arena operators move forward with formal restrictions.
Similar cases from previous seasons resulted in criminal charges after objects landed near spectators and athletes, prompting teams to adjust security screenings across several major venues.
As the WNBA continues its regular season slate in front of record crowd numbers, arena staff and league executives face ongoing pressure to eliminate courtside disruptions and keep active playing surfaces completely secure for competitors.
Whether these heightened legal consequences and upgraded arena protocols will permanently deter future baseline disturbances remains central to upcoming operations across the league.
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