“Stop throwing the green machines on the court. You’re going to hurt one of us.” That was the raw, frustrated plea from Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham, and it cut through the noise of a league suddenly consumed by chaos. Her message wasn’t about a box score or a bad call; it was a desperate warning aimed at a bizarre and dangerous new trend. For the second time in a single week, a professional basketball game had been brought to a standstill because a fan decided to throw a green dildo onto the hardwood during live play, and players are now speaking out about the real danger it presents.

The latest incident, which took place in Chicago, was a near carbon copy of a disruption that occurred in Atlanta just days before. In both instances, the Golden State Valkyries were on the court, and in both, the game was paused as officials dealt with the foreign object. In Chicago, video captured a referee looking on in disbelief before kicking the toy away from the players. The act itself is strange enough, but its repetition has transformed it from an isolated prank into a coordinated pattern, turning WNBA social media circles into a breeding ground for rumor and conspiracy.

What was once a league celebrated for its on-court product is now being discussed for its “circus,” a term used by commentators who see these events as a sign of trouble. The viral moments are generating clicks, but they are also raising serious questions about stadium security and fan behavior. More importantly, as Cunningham pointed out, they pose a legitimate threat to the players’ physical well-being. An athlete making a hard cut or landing from a rebound could easily step on such an object and suffer a season-ending, or even career-ending, injury.

Naturally, the internet is trying to solve the mystery of why this is happening now. The most prominent theory circulating is that this is not organic fan behavior but a manufactured controversy. Proponents of this idea suggest the WNBA itself could be orchestrating the stunts to keep viewership numbers and media mentions high, especially during the absence of its biggest star, Caitlin Clark, who is out with a groin injury. While no evidence supports such a claim, the timing has been enough to fuel the narrative that the league is chasing attention at any cost.

Another popular conspiracy theory points to a more intricate plot: that the incidents are a deliberate distraction. In a twist that complicates many media narratives, Clark’s Indiana Fever team has gone on a four-game winning streak without her on the floor. Instead of this resilience becoming a major storyline, the “green machine” saga has dominated headlines. Some believe this is a strategic move by rivals or outside forces to take the shine off the Fever’s success and keep the focus on controversy rather than the team’s impressive performance.

This cloud of chaos invariably leads back to Caitlin Clark, the player at the center of the WNBA’s explosive growth. Even while she is injured and inactive, she remains the league’s most polarizing and discussed figure. The debate over her playing style continues to rage, fueled by commentary from figures like former NBA star Jeff Teague. He pointed out that Clark’s tendency to take very deep three-pointers and her high turnover numbers can be liabilities. Teague also noted that the Fever found success late last season with Kelsey Mitchell as a key offensive piece, suggesting that Clark’s ball-dominant approach isn’t the only way for the team to win.

These critiques have been met with fierce pushback from Clark’s supporters. Many argue that her flaws are overblown and that her struggles this season can be attributed directly to her injury. They see her as the “general” of the team, whose primary responsibility is to create offense, which naturally leads to more turnovers. Her defenders argue that her ability to create shots for her teammates and draw defensive attention creates countless opportunities that don’t show up on the stat sheet. For them, any criticism of her game is unfair until she is 100% healthy, at which point they believe she will prove her doubters wrong.

The WNBA is currently riding a wave of unprecedented popularity, but it is also being dragged into a chaotic undertow. The on-court stunts and the relentless scrutiny of its biggest star are testing the league’s ability to manage its own narrative. It is now faced with the dual challenge of protecting its players from physical harm from the stands while also navigating a media environment that often seems more interested in controversy than competition. The question is no longer just about growth, but whether the league is prepared for the viral monster that growth has created.