Dawn Staley Became an Iconic Meme After Waving Goodbye to Knicks Player in Game 4 vs. Sixers

Kristen Wong | Apr 28, 2024

Screengrab on Twitter/ @CrossingBroad

Dawn Staley showed up for her hometown team, the Philadelphia 76ers, in Game 4’s playoff showdown against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center.

The Gamecocks coach was bestowed the honor of ringing the ceremonial bell ahead of Sunday’s matchup and even shared an incredibly cool moment with Philly legend Allen Iverson.

But Staley also became something of a legend herself when cameras caught her waving goodbye to Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein after Hartenstein picked up his fifth foul late in the game.

Philly fans loved it.

Dawn Staley waving buy to Isaiah Hartenstein on his way to the bench after his 5th foul is incredible pic.twitter.com/9Zi2VyHwJd

— Crossing Broad (@CrossingBroad) April 28, 2024

Dawn Staley waved goodbye to Isaiah Hartenstein after he got his fifth foul 💀 pic.twitter.com/HIPDbiMLal

— FanDuel (@FanDuel) April 28, 2024

Dawn Staley being a diehard 76ers fan courtside taunting Hartenstein

She’s a legend to the max

— NBA Slime (@TerryFranconia) April 28, 2024

Seeing @dawnstaley wave goodbye to Isaiah Hartenstein as he heads to the bench after picking up his 5th foul is peak Philly lol

— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) April 28, 2024

Staley, born and raised in Philly, has never been shy about showing support for her hometown sports teams. The reigning NCAA champion coached at Temple University in Philadelphia from 2000 to ‘08 and continued to represent Philly by occasionally wearing Eagles jerseys on the sidelines of her South Carolina games.

The Knicks ultimately won the game 97-92, taking a 3-1 series lead over the Sixers in the process.