Hawks guard Dejounte Murray has been suspended for Game 5 of the playoff sequence towards the Boston Celtics with Atlanta going through the top of its season.
The NBA introduced Monday that Murray should sit out one recreation with out pay for making inappropriate contact with an official, in addition to verbal abuse.
The incident occurred after the Hawks’ 129-121 loss in Game 4, which pushed Boston to a 3-1 lead within the sequence. The suspension was handed out by Joe Dumars, the league’s head of basketball operations and chief disciplinarian.
After the horn sounded to finish the sport, Murray was captured on video bumping official Gediminas Petraitis along with his chest whereas strolling off the court docket. The participant then turned to yell one thing on the referee earlier than he was pulled away and directed towards the locker room.
“I think Dejounte recognizes his part in the situations,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder mentioned in a unexpectedly referred to as digital availability after the crew arrived in Boston. “That’s just something you can’t do.”
The Celtics can advance to the second spherical with a victory at residence Tuesday evening.
Murray scored 23 factors in Game 4, nevertheless it was his worst outing of the sequence. The Hawks had been outscored by 16 factors whereas he was on the court docket.
“I think there was frustration over the course of the game that built up,” Snyder mentioned. “He didn’t handle it the way he needs to. He knows that. We talked about it.”
Murray is averaging 25.3 factors within the sequence, leaving an enormous gap for the Hawks to fill as they attempt to lengthen their season on the street. He can also run the purpose together with Trae Young and is likely one of the crew’s finest perimeter defenders.
Snyder mentioned he’s undecided who will begin in Murray’s place, although Bogdan Bogdonavic would appear the logical alternative. The coach confused that nobody participant can match Murray’s manufacturing; it have to be a crew effort.
“He contributes in a lot of ways — defensive matchups, creating shots for other people, being able to score both throughout the game and in timely situations,” Snyder mentioned.
He acknowledged {that a} tough job will now be a lot more durable, however Snyder doesn’t need his crew fretting over the lack of one in all its finest gamers.
“We’re worried about the things we can control,” Snyder mentioned. “Anytime a player gets suspended, particularly in the postseason, you have to move forward and accept it. Figure out how to manage it and still be competitive and try to win.”
