Two individuals have been detained by authorities following a spate of disruptive incidents at Women’s National Basketball Association matches, where spectators hurled adult toys onto courts and into crowds as part of an emerging social media craze.
The arrests occurred in Phoenix and Atlanta after separate episodes that form part of a broader pattern affecting venues across the league.
Eighteen-year-old Kaden Lopez from Waddell, Arizona, was apprehended on Tuesday evening at PHX Arena during a match between Phoenix Mercury and Connecticut Sun.
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Kaden Lopez, 18, was arrested on Tuesday after a match between Phoenix Mercury and Connecticut Sun
A second individual, 23-year-old Delbert Carver, faced arrest on Saturday in connection with a similar incident at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta on 29 July.
Lopez faces a felony charge for public display of obscene materials alongside misdemeanour counts of assault and disorderly conduct after the green object struck an adult male spectator’s back before landing near his nine-year-old niece.
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Court documents reveal Lopez retrieved the item from his jumper pocket before throwing it forward, then attempted to flee the venue.
An arena volunteer who witnessed the incident pursued and tackled Lopez, detaining him until police arrived.
During questioning, Lopez admitted purchasing the toy specifically for the game, stating: “It was just a stupid prank that was trending on social media.”
He expressed remorse, insisting he hadn’t intended to strike anyone or for the object to land near a child.
Carver’s arrest in Georgia followed charges of criminal trespass, disorderly conduct and public indecency after he allegedly threw a similar device during a match between Golden State Valkyries and Atlanta Dream.
The 23-year-old reportedly told authorities his actions were intended as a viral joke.
These arrests represent only a fraction of the disruptions, with additional incidents reported in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.
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🚨#BREAKING: A fourth dildo has been tossed onto the court during a WNBA game. This time it was purple, not green! pic.twitter.com/vJhk7eVJmG
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) August 8, 2025
Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham found herself near one such projectile during Tuesday’s match against Los Angeles Sparks at Crypto.com Arena.
Players have condemned these acts as both disrespectful and hazardous to athlete safety.
The WNBA has implemented stringent measures in response to these safety breaches, announcing that perpetrators face immediate removal from venues and mandatory bans lasting at least twelve months.
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Someone threw a green dildo on the court during a WNBA game tonight. pic.twitter.com/mFSESW6cfE
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) July 30, 2025
The league emphasised that any objects thrown onto playing surfaces or into seating areas create risks for athletes, officials and spectators alike.
“The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league,” the WNBA stated on Saturday.
Beyond ejection and suspension, offenders face potential arrest and prosecution by local authorities, as demonstrated by the recent detentions.
A cryptocurrency group has claimed responsibility for orchestrating some incidents as protest actions, though neither arrested individual has confirmed affiliation with the organisation.