Key Takeaways
- Angel Reese helped security identify a fan who threw a green sex toy onto the court during an Atlanta Dream-Los Angeles Sparks game, shouting, “That’s him! Get him!”
- Police cited the man for trespassing, while the league indefinitely banned him from all WNBA, NBA, and affiliated events.
- The incident revived concerns from 2025, when coordinated object-throwing disruptions affected at least six WNBA games and led to two arrests.
Angel Reese helped security identify a fan who threw a green sex toy onto the court during a recent Atlanta Dream-Los Angeles Sparks game, leading to the spectator being detained and hit with an indefinite ban from WNBA, NBA, and affiliated league events.
According to The New York Times, the incident happened during the third quarter of Atlanta’s 124-88 win at Crypto.com Arena, with Sparks forward Jihyun Park preparing to shoot a free throw. After an official stopped play, Reese immediately pointed toward the stands from the Dream bench and appeared to identify the person responsible.
“That’s him! That’s him! Get him! You see that?” Reese could be heard saying in video from the game as she jumped up and pointed toward the fan.
Arena security removed the object and detained the spectator before Los Angeles police arrived shortly after 8:30 p.m., according to the LAPD. Police described the person as a man in his mid-20s and said he was cited for trespassing after throwing the object onto the court. He was released at the arena, and his name has not been made public.
A league source told the outlet that the individual has been indefinitely banned from all WNBA, NBA, and affiliated league games and events. The WNBA also plans to continue working with law enforcement when spectators throw objects onto the floor.
At least six games were affected in cities including Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Phoenix and Los Angeles. The incidents quickly became more than an isolated prank after a self-described cryptocurrency enthusiast told ESPN that members of an online group were coordinating some of the throws as publicity for a crypto coin.
The anonymous source said the group targeted the WNBA because it was already generating attention and controversy. ESPN also reviewed messages from a Telegram community that appeared to show advance knowledge of at least one of the incidents.
Two people were arrested during that run of disruptions. Kaden Lopez, then 18, was taken into custody in Phoenix after authorities said he threw a sex toy that struck two spectators, including a minor. Delbert Carver, 23, was arrested in Georgia in connection with another incident.
Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham was also nearly struck during a 2025 game and publicly called for the behavior to stop.
The WNBA responded at the time by emphasizing that throwing objects into playing or seating areas posed a safety risk. League policy called for immediate ejection, a minimum one-year ban, and possible arrest or prosecution.
