WNBA game stopped as sex toy is thrown onto court for third time and appears to HIT player

A basketball game between the Los Angeles Sparks and Indiana Feverwas momentarily stopped after a fan threw a sex toy onto the court. The object was lobbed just as Sparks point guard Kelsey Plum completed her three-shot free-throw on Tuesday.

It appeared that the toy either hit or landed near Fever star Sophie Cunningham. As soon as the pleasure device landed on the court, fans at the Crypto.com Arena jeered the rogue fan for their behaviour.

It astonishingly marked the third instance of a sex toy being thrown at a WNBA match. But the incident was the first time a toy has come close to or actually struck a player, as fans continue to ignore warnings from the league not to throw objects, especially sex toys, onto the court.

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When the toy landed near Cunningham and Plum, the latter promptly booted it to the baseline while ushers and other members of Los Angeles' team went to collect it. Security was also quick to head to the area where the fan was reportedly seen throwing the sex device.

Cunningham, 28, happened to bear the brunt of the incident. The Fever guardhad recently voiced her concerns on social media about the risks of a toy being thrown onto the court and potentially striking a player during a game.

Cunningham took to social media to write: "Stop throwing dildos on the court… you're going to hurt one of us." Despite her plea, one fan continued the antics, though the object didn't appear to hurt her.

The incident in Los Angeles was the third time a fan has decided to hurl a sex toy onto the court in recent weeks. The first occurred during the final moments of the Golden State Valkyries' 77-75 victory over the Atlanta Dream, leaving guard Jordin Canada visibly confused.

Days later, another sex toy was thrown onto the court during the Valkyries' match against the Chicago Sky. Once the toy landed, Chicago's team swiftly removed it to prevent further distress while star forward Kamilla Cardoso made her feelings about the act clear.

As more fans feel bold enough to throw X-rated items onto the court, both the WNBA and police have started to clamp down on those responsible.

ESPN reported that the individual who threw the sex toy during the Valkyries' game against the Dream was arrested. The fan faced charges of disorderly conduct, public indecency/indecent exposure and criminal trespass, according to the outlet.

In light of these incidents, the WNBA also issued a statement discouraging fans from throwing objects onto the court.

"The safety and well-being of everyone in our arenas is a top priority for our league. Objects of any kind thrown onto the court or in the seating area can pose a safety risk for players, game officials, and fans," the statement read.

"In line with WNBA Arena Security Standards, any fan who intentionally throws an object onto the court will be immediately ejected and face a minimum one-year ban in addition to being subject to arrest and prosecution by local authorities."