Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Dallin Ballard Sat, October 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Atlanta Hawks tried to cheer for the Atlanta Dream, but the move backfired hard. On Friday, Oct. 9, the NBA team shared a social media post celebrating the Dream's run to the WNBA Finals. The graphic included Dream stars like Angel Reese and Jordin Canada. But it also featured Hawks players Jalen Johnson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Fans on X and other platforms saw the mix and got angry fast. They felt the team was trying to steal the spotlight from a historic women's basketball moment.
The Dream beat the New York Liberty in a tight three-game series to reach the Finals. This is their first trip to the championship round since 2013. The Hawks have not been to an NBA Finals since 1961, when they were still in St. Louis. The mismatch in recent success made the graphic look even worse to many local fans. The team's attempt to show unity was seen by many as a clumsy grab for attention.
Local supporters did not hold back their anger in the comments section. One fan wrote, "You goofies really included the Hawks on this image. Zero shame." The comment hit a nerve because the Hawks have struggled for years. In the last ten years, the team missed the playoffs five times. They also lost in the first round four times. The Dream, meanwhile, has reached the Finals four times since 2010. The gap in performance made the shared image feel wrong to many observers.
Another supporter pointed out the difference in how each team treats its fans. "Don't include Hawks players in the Dream accomplishment after how y'all ended last season," a fan said. They added, "Learn from them and strive for a chip. It's been 58 years since y'all have been ringless in Atlanta." The Hawks last won a title in 1958. The Dream has built a strong legacy in the city while the NBA team has underperformed.
The post was meant to be a simple cheer for the city. Instead, it looked like the Hawks were trying to take credit. "Get out the graphic; this is not a group project," a fan commented on the post. The Dream earned this spot by winning hard games. They deserve all the attention right now. As one person noted, "This is weird. How about the Hawks make it themselves so they can get their own poster?"
The confusion grew as more people joined the conversation. One user asked, "u really put two Hawks on a post about the Dream going to the finals??? lmaoooooooo…," according to Yahoo Sports . The humor in the comment showed how silly the mistake looked. The Hawks have not reached the Finals since moving to Atlanta. Back in 1961, the team carried the name St. Louis Hawks. The franchise has largely underachieved since then.
The backlash shows that fans want the teams to respect each other's space. Beginning in 2027, State Farm Arena will host every home game for The Dream. This deal means both teams will share the same building soon. Fans want the NBA team to support the WNBA team without trying to be the star. "Closest to a Finals graphic y'all will ever be," another fan tweeted about the Hawks.
The Dream has earned respect this season with their play on the court. Angel Reese led the team with 22 points and nine rebounds in the final game of the series. Jordin Canada and DeWanna Bonner made key plays to seal the win.
Source: Sports
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