Dejounte Murray Suspended for Game 5 Against Boston Celtics

With postseason survival at stake, Dejounte Murray will be out of action for Game 5 between the Celtics and Hawks.

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Dejounte Murray will be inactive for Game 5 of the Atlanta Hawks-Boston Celtics playoff series. On Monday, the NBA announced that Murray will face a one-game suspension due to inappropriate contact with a referee.

At the conclusion of Atlanta’s 129-121 loss to the Celtics in Game 4, Murray bumped referee Gediminas Petraitis in the chest and mouthed something into the official’s ear. The Hawks' guard was also seen pointing his finger while yelling.

Dejounte Murray. 😬

(via @creatorjordan23)

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— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 24, 2023

According to the NBA’s rules, "intentional physical contact with an official" results in an automatic one-game suspension.

Murray’s absence seems crucial to the Hawks’ playoff success, as the 2022 All-Star selectee averaged 25.3 points and 7.3 rebounds over their last four games against Boston. Murray was also Atlanta’s second-leading scorer during the regular season, behind Trae Young.

Game 5, scheduled for Tuesday night at 7:30 pm, is a must-win for the Hawks. Boston holds a 3-1 lead in the first-round series. 

Further Reading

Celtics Praise Robert Williams for Impact in What They Deemed a Must-Win Game 4: 'Can't Even Give Words to What Rob Does on Our Team'

Jaylen Brown Discusses His Mask-Ditching Monster Performance as Celtics Push Hawks to Brink of Elimination

Jayson Tatum on Celtics' Maintaining a Must-Win Mindset: 'We're Trying Not to Make it Tougher on Ourselves'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 4 Win vs. Hawks: Jaylen Brown's 22 Second-Half Points Propels Boston to 3-1 Series Lead

Celtics Address Game 3 Loss to Hawks: 'This One Tonight is On Me'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss in Game 3 vs. Hawks: Boston Struggles to Find Balance as Atlanta Extends Series

[Film Room] Derrick White's Assertiveness Leads to 26 Points, MVP Chants as Celtics Take 2-0 Lead

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Win vs. Hawks in Game 2: Swarming Defense and 64 Paint Points Propels Boston to 2-0 Lead

The Celtics Discuss Their Game 1 Win vs. the Hawks: 'We Can't Take Our Foot Off the Gas'

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Game 1 Win vs. Hawks: Championship-Caliber Defense Propels Hosts in Series Opener