The Atlanta Hawks won’t have Dejounte Murray on the floor when they try to keep their season alive tonight.
Murray was suspended after bumping his shoulder into a referee after their Game 4 loss to the Boston Celtics.
His team is now a 14-point underdog ahead of their matchup in the TD Garden, and Murray doesn’t seem to have any regrets about that incident.
When asked about it, Murray claimed that the referees shouldn’t be one-sided, citing that he doesn’t think he should’ve been suspended and that whatever happens, happens.
Dejounte Murray addresses his suspension for Hawks-Celtics Game 5 ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/HdyTNKMzuE
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) April 25, 2023
Truth be told, that’s the last thing one would want to hear from one of their leaders, as he could’ve avoided that contact and would’ve been on the floor tonight when his team needed him the most.
The rules clearly state that NBA players should not make contact with an official, let alone in a threatening manner, as he did.
Murray is an elite defender and playmaker, but he’s also a fierce competitor, and emotions get the best of him sometimes.
It’s been a complicated season for the Hawks, with plenty of ups and downs and off-court issues, so this might be a fitting end for this campaign.
The Hawks’ future is still a big question mark, as they don’t even know whether Trae Young will be a part of the team going forward after all the rumors.
So, if Murray is set to be their leader for years to come, he needs to be available and be more accountable for his actions.
NEXT: Fans React To Hawks Star Being Suspended
