It was supposed to be a normal night at the Phoenix Mercury game, the kind of evening where fans cheer, players shine, and everyone’s eyes are locked on the court. But on August 5, all that changed when an 18‑year‑old seated in the stands suddenly retrieved a green dildo from his sweater, lobbed it forward, and sent it smack into the lap of a man and his 9‑year‑old niece. You can’t make that up—but apparently, he did.
Kaden Lopez was booked on the spot. Amenity from an arena volunteer tackled him before he could bolt, and police swept in shortly after. Court documents revealed what happened: “He retrieves the green dildo … then throws the dildo forward. He then stands up and leaves the area.” It didn’t just hit the man and child—it shattered a moment of normalcy, and maybe a few fans’ trust.
The WNBA is calling this more than just a sick prank. Lopez admitted it was a “stupid prank that was trending on social media,” but what anyone could have guessed was how fast the trend would turn serious. He now faces charges of disorderly conduct, assault, and public display of explicit sexual material. The league and venue officials say they’re pushing for prosecution, and for good reason: this is not harmless.
Sadly, this wasn’t an isolated incident. This makes at least the fifth dildo‑throwing occurrence at WNBA games in recent weeks. There were similar problems in Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, and New York—all pointing to a viral, troubling pattern.
WNBA players and coaches are done with the laughter. Indiana’s Sophie Cunningham, who was nearly struck by one of these objects in LA, had pleaded with fans just days earlier: “Stop throwing dildos on the court … you’re going to hurt one of us.” According to coverage, after it happened to her, she deadpanned, “This did NOT age well.” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts called it “really stupid” and “dangerous,” echoing frustration across the league. Even rival players like New York’s Isabelle Harrison begged for better security and respect.
So what now? The WNBA says anyone caught throwing objects faces immediate ejection, a minimum one-year ban, and possible arrest. With each new incident, the security protocols—bag checks, screening, staff coverage—are under more scrutiny than ever.
This isn’t just an odd headline. It’s a red flag. A fan-prank turned painful and dangerous, and an uncomfortable reminder of how quickly arenas can cross the line from safe place to site of shock. And while the courts will handle Lopez, the league is left navigating the fallout—and making sure the next game doesn’t end in headlines like this.