During a WNBA game between the Chicago Sky and the Golden State Valkyries on Friday night, spectators disrupted play by throwing multiple sex toys onto the court. According to The Associated Press and TSN, the incident occurred during the third quarter of the Sky’s 73-70 victory, marking the second night that this type of disruption targeted a women’s professional basketball game.
Security Responses and Prior Incidents
The disruption follows a nearly identical incident on Thursday night during a matchup between the Atlanta Dream and the Los Angeles Sparks, as reported by The New York Times. Security personnel at the arena apprehended a suspect during the Los Angeles game, and the Los Angeles Police Department subsequently issued a citation before releasing the individual. Similar throwing incidents occurred during multiple WNBA fixtures last season across venues in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles, occasionally resulting in arrests.
Player Reactions and Condemnation
Following the floor disruption in Chicago, Sky guard Natasha Cloud addressed reporters to condemn the actions of the spectators. According to The Associated Press and TSN, Cloud characterized the behavior as strange and driven by unjustified hostility. Cloud stated that the actions reflect poorly on the individuals involved rather than the athletes, describing the choice to throw objects as a sign of extreme weakness and a reflection of those individuals’ attitudes toward women.
WNBA Disruption Incident Overview
Below is an overview of the documented incidents based on reports from The Associated Press, TSN, and The New York Times:
- Chicago Sky vs. Golden State Valkyries: Occurred during the third quarter on Friday night, resulting in a brief delay while arena staff cleared the court.
- Atlanta Dream vs. Los Angeles Sparks: Occurred on Thursday night, resulting in one suspect being detained by arena security and issued a citation by the Los Angeles Police Department.
- Previous Season Disrupters: Similar floor-littering incidents took place at venues in Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles during the prior WNBA season, leading to select arrests.
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