The Atlanta Hawks recently took a light-hearted approach to a brief TikTok ban, referencing a notable moment from their history involving Carmelo Anthony. Following his trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder after the 2018 season, Anthony's time with the Hawks was notably short, as the team opted to buy out his contract before he ever had the opportunity to play a game for them. This brief episode is often seen as a minor footnote in Anthony's illustrious career.

Despite the short duration of Anthony's stay, the Hawks commemorated the player by making a jersey and showcasing it on social media. The team addressed Anthony directly in their post, stating, 'Hey @carmeloanthony your jersey is on its way...good luck, fam!' Following his time with Atlanta, Anthony joined the Houston Rockets, where he participated in only ten games, averaging 13.4 points per contest. He subsequently signed with the Portland Trail Blazers for two seasons and concluded his career with the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2021-22 season.

The TikTok situation itself unfolded with significant urgency, as the parent company ByteDance made the decision to cease operations in the United States just hours prior to a deadline set by the Supreme Court, which upheld a law banning the app due to concerns surrounding its connections to China. This temporary shutdown sparked a wave of reactions on social media, though it was short-lived. TikTok announced its return to service in the U.S. via a social media statement, indicating that they were working with service providers to restore normal operation.