The Atlanta Dream suffered their 13th loss of the season on Sunday night after falling 95-91 to the Indiana Fever in overtime. However, the result was not the only thing getting attention after the game.
The Dream soon faced criticism over another moment involving the team before the game, with their decision during the national anthem becoming a talking point among fans and critics.
Civil Rights Attorney’s Comments Regarding the Atlanta Dream and Angel Reese
Fans at State Farm Arena noticed something before the game even started. Photos and eyewitness accounts showed the Dream players weren’t out on the floor for the national anthem. They stayed back in the locker room while it played, and only came out once it was over. The Fever, on the other hand, lined up on the court the whole time.
The decision quickly drew criticism online, with several people questioning why the Atlanta players were not present.
One of the loudest voices was civil rights attorney Leo Terrell. He picked up a post from an online personality, who had already criticized the Dream for skipping the anthem, and shared it with his own followers.
“unAmerican!!!!” Terrell wrote on his X.
unAmerican!!!! https://t.co/VxQrpGZJNN
— LeoTerrell (@TheLeoTerrell) August 17, 2026
Terrell later shared Hansley’s post again, making his reaction even clearer. This time, he captioned the post, “Betrayal!!!”
From there, Terrell kept going. He shared a clip from the BrickCenter account that replayed the game’s final, agonizing moment, when Reese’s potential game-winning layup rolled off the rim in regulation. Terrell’s take on that clip was just as sharp as his earlier posts.
“Good! Next time leave the locker room and respect our National Anthem!” he wrote.
Good! Next time leave the locker room and respect our National Anthem! https://t.co/RQeDbsEs8H
— LeoTerrell (@TheLeoTerrell) August 17, 2026
Terrell wasn’t the only media figure piling on. Outkick reporter Jon Root also weighed in on X, pointing out that the Dream had once again chosen not to be on the court during the anthem while the Fever stood for it.
“The Atlanta Dream refused to be on the court for the National Anthem once again prior to their match-up vs Indiana Fever… Happy to see the Fever respect America,” Root wrote on X.
The Atlanta Dream refused to be on the court for the National Anthem once again prior to their match-up vs Indiana Fever…
Happy to see the Fever respect America 🇺🇸 🫡 pic.twitter.com/NSTePKRC5w
— Jon Root (@JonnyRoot_) August 16, 2026
For the Dream, Sunday’s loss therefore brought more than another mark in the defeat column. Their decision to remain in the locker room during the anthem has now become a major topic of discussion.
