After the Celtics took a 3-1 series lead over the Hawks in the first round of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, Atlanta guard Dejounte Murray was visibly upset.
Murray appeared to walk over to NBA referee Gediminas Petraitis and then make contact with the official, apparently bumping into him. Murray clearly said something to Petraitis before the Hawks guard then made his way to the locker room.
While on his way to the locker room, however, Murray seemingly gestured and yelled something on the court. Murray was held back by teammate Aaron Holiday and a Hawks staffer, who helped escort him off the court.
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
According to Tim MacMahon, the league investigated the incident (via ESPN):
“The league also customarily takes a hard stance against anyone making contact with a game official.”
Earlier this season, the NBA suspended Boston’s Grant Williams for making contact with a referee.
Murray was fined $20,000 for throwing the game ball at an official last season. He has had a series of questionable moments on the court since his trade from the Spurs to the Hawks, almost like a heel turn.
Murray will serve his suspension in Game 5 of the series when the Hawks visit the Celtics in Boston. Already down 3-1, Murray’s suspension is now a particularly devastating blow for Atlanta.
