WNBA Games See String of Bizarre Court Invasions — Police Make Arrest in Latest Incident

The WNBA has seen an unusual string of disruptions in recent days — and not the kind that show up in the box score.

During the Tuesday, Aug. 5 matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Los Angeles Sparks, an object later identified as a sex toy was thrown onto the court, briefly halting play. The incident marked the latest in a growing series of similar disruptions across the league.

The first case surfaced July 29 during a game between the Golden State Valkyries and the Atlanta Dream. Two people were involved in that Atlanta incident, authorities say, with one person arrested and the other still at large.

Just days later, on Aug. 1, another disruption hit the Valkyries’ game against the Chicago Sky at Wintrust Arena. At the 7:42 mark of the third quarter, broadcast cameras captured a green sex toy landing on the sideline — just short of the court.

Now, police in Phoenix have confirmed an arrest tied to yet another incident. According to officials, 18-year-old Kaden Lopez was taken into custody Tuesday, Aug. 5, after allegedly throwing a green sex toy that struck a man and his 9-year-old niece at a WNBA game. Authorities say an arena volunteer saw the object thrown, followed Lopez, and tackled him until police arrived.

Phoenix police have charged Lopez with assault. League and team officials have yet to release statements on the recent series of incidents, but security measures are expected to be reviewed as the WNBA season continues.