Atlanta Hawks Star Suspended For Hawks-Celtics Game 5 On Tuesday

The NBA has suspended Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray one game without pay for making contact with an official at the conclusion of Sunday's Game 4 against the Boston Celtics, the league announced on Monday afternoon. 

NBA Communications: "Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray has bene suspended one game without pay for making inappropriate contact with and verbally abusing a game official, it was announced today by Joe Dumars, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations. The incident occurred at the conclusion of the hawks Hawks' 129-121 loss to the Boston Celtics in game 4 of their first-round playoff series on April 23 at State Farm Arena. Murray will swerve his suspension Tuesday, April 25 when the Hawks visit the Celtics for Game 5 of the series at TD Garden."

As the NBA said in their release, Murray will serve this one-game suspension on Tuesday night when the Hawks go on the road to take on the Celtics in Game 5 of their first-round series. The Celtics currently lead the series 3-1, making this game an elimination game for the Hawks. 

The incident involving Murray and the official happened at the conclusion of Game 4 on Sunday, as Dejounte Murray was seen walking up to and yelling at Gediminas Petraitis before intentionally bumping into Petraitis' shoulder with his chest. 

Murray was quickly grabbed by team personnel and escorted to the locker room before anything else happened. 

Per NBA rules, any player who makes intentional contact with an official is automatically subject to at least a one-game suspension, so it really is not a surprise to see this ruling come down from the league on Dejounte Murray. 

Without Murray on the road, the Hawks' season could very much come to an end on Tuesday in Game 5, as the Celtics are looking to advance to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. 

The 2022-23 season has been a disaster for the Atlanta Hawks for many reasons and having one of their best players suspended for what will most likely be the final game of their year says a lot about how the season has gone. 

Game 5 between the Hawks and Celtics will be played on Tuesday, April 25 in Boston. 

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