Open Thread: Luke Kornet speaks out against Atlanta Hawks “Magic Night” promotion
Mar 04, 2026
BOSTON, MA - MAY 7: Luke Kornet #40 of the Boston Celtics high fives teammates before the game against the New York Knicks during Round 2 Game 2 on May 7, 2025 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Pho
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On March 16, the Atlanta Hawks are hosting a theme night as they play against the Orlando Magic.
The theme “Magic City Monday,” seems purposefully confusing considering their opponent for the evening. But Magic City is an Atlanta based strip club made famous for being mentioned in hip-hop albums. The venue was also notably visited by Lou Williams in 2020 after leaving the NBA’s quarantine bubble during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading him to have to adhere to an extended quarantine.
Magic on a Monday? 👀 @MagicCity pic.twitter.com/xwWrGyVE20— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 26, 2026
Spurs big man Luke Kornet so far has been one of the only players to verbalize opposition to the event. He spoke out against the theme night as it “would reflect poorly on us as an NBA community, specifically in being complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.”
Spurs forward Luke Kornet is hoping the Atlanta Hawks will cancel an upcoming promotion honoring "Magic City", a Famous Atlanta strip club. Kornet says the NBA would be “complicit in the potential objectification and mistreatment of women in our society.” pic.twitter.com/oY482YaRVT— Don Harris (@DonHarris4) March 3, 2026
Kornet, a devout Catholic, stated, “it didn’t really represent what I know myself and a lot of others throughout the NBA felt. So think I did thins, I want to make sure that part of the discussion is expressed and it comes with people criticism and stuff like that that’s part and parcel why people might be hesitant to do so.”
An Atlanta Hawks press release referred to Magic City is an “iconic cultural institution.”
Kornet continued, “We desire to provide an environment where fans of all ages can safely come and enjoy the game of basketball and where we can celebrate the history and culture of communities in good conscience. The celebration of a strip club is not conduct aligned with that vision.”
CBS’s Brad Botkin reported late last night that the Hawks have stated they will not cancel the event.
The NBA has yet to comment at the time this article was written.
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