A WNBA game between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries was briefly stopped on July 29, 2025, when a fan threw a neon green sex toy onto the court. The game was tied 75-75 with under a minute left at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, when the object landed near the sideline.
The incident happened just after Valkyries star Tiffany Hayes had a shot blocked by Atlanta’s Maya Caldwell. Referees Charles Watson and Angel Kent paused the game as a police officer removed the item using a cloth handed over by a fan. The arena’s PA system warned that anyone throwing objects would be ejected.
While players were surprised, they stayed focused. Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini said, “It was super dangerous. Then we saw what it was and just started laughing.” Hayes added, “One of our players almost got hit… that’s very dangerous.”
Play resumed shortly after, and Zandalasini hit the game-winning shot with 3.2 seconds left, giving the Valkyries a 77-75 win. Their record improved to 12-13, while the Dream dropped to 15-12.
The bizarre moment went viral on social media. Seattle Storm’s Erica Wheeler tweeted, “Aye yooooo what’s going on in ATL?” while Dream VP Renee Montgomery called it “unreal.” Broadcasters called the act “inappropriate” and said the fan should have been removed. No arrests were reported.
The WNBA is now investigating. This incident adds to recent concerns about fan behavior in the league, including someone mocking Phoenix Mercury’s Kahleah Copper earlier this month.
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