The Atlanta Hawks officially have their backs against the wall.
They fell to a 3-1 deficit in their playoff series vs. the Boston Celtics, and they could be in for a must-win game without one of their best players.
The jury is out on whether the NBA should suspend Dejounte Murray for bumping a referee after the game.
Dejounte Murray. 😬
(via @creatorjordan23)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 24, 2023
Murray didn’t push or shove him, but he did bump his shoulder in a somewhat threatening manner, and he had to be held back to avoid any further incidents.
He’s never been considered a dirty player, but he’s got a bit of a reputation for his strong and unapologetic character, so this isn’t exactly a surprise.
Things didn’t escalate, and it doesn’t even seem like he insulted the official or anything, but the rules clearly state that players cannot make physical contact with referees whatsoever.
The league is reportedly investigating the issue to determine a potential fine or suspension, and it might not take long before they reach a decision.
Losing Murray would be yet another deadly blow for Quin Snyder’s team, as he’s their best defender and second-best playmaker, not to mention one of the few guys who can guard one through five in this league.
The Hawks showed plenty of fight and resiliency in Game 3 to get one game back, but they just couldn’t keep that same intensity in Game 4 despite some very solid offensive play from De’Andre Hunter and Trae Young, so their chances of extending this series without Murray are quite slim.
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