“Hawks Lose Dejounte Murray to Suspension for Game 5 Against Celtics”

The Hawks were already out of favor in their series against Boston, even after courageously taking Game 3. Trailing 3-1 after their home loss on Sunday, Quin Snyder’s players are condemned to the feat on the Celtics floor next night. Problem: they will have to do it without Dejounte Murray.

Betrayed by a video filmed from the stands, the rear of Atlanta was suspended by the NBA for one game, due to his behavior towards one of the referees of game 4. In the images, we can see the former Spurs player shoving the official physically and verbally, before being calmed down by his teammates. The league, via its executive vice-president Joe Dumars, indicated that Murry’s gesture and words were inappropriate and decided to make him miss the next game.

Dejounte Murray bumps referee at the end of the Atlanta Hawks Boston Celtics playoff game 4 #nba pic.twitter.com/Km0DFU1gSM

— mcbuckets (@creatorjordan23) April 24, 2023

This is obviously problematic for the Hawks. Dejounte Murray has 25.3 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists at 45% on the first four matches from the Serie. In his absence, Atlanta will likely start and give more minutes to Bogdan Bogdanovicunless Quin Snyder opts for a more “tall ball” fit, with the appearance of Saddiq Bey in the five.

In any case, it still looks very much like news that could put the last nail in the coffin of the Hawks.

Dejounte Murray “hustles” a referee, suspension to come?