NBA likely to investigate Dejounte Murray’s conduct after Hawks' Game 4 loss to Celtics
The NBA likely will investigate Atlanta guard Dejounte Murray’s conduct toward a game official following Boston’s 129-121 victory against the Hawks in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference series on Sunday.
At the conclusion of the game, Murray approached referee Gediminas Petraitis, yelled something in his face and appeared to make physical contact.
Petraitis gave Murray a long look, and Murray, as he left the court, turned around and yelled again. A Hawks player and staffer guided Murray off the court and toward the locker room.
Murray had 23 points, nine rebounds and six assists. He was not made available to reporters after the game.
The Celtics lead the series 3-1, and Game 5 is Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Already in a difficult position, the Hawks can’t afford to lose Murray to a suspension in an elimination game. The winner of the series will play Philadelphia in the East semifinals.
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Earlier this season, Washington’s Bradley Beal was fined $25,000 for making contact with a referee, and Boston’s Grant Williams was suspended one game earlier this season for “recklessly making contact with and directing inappropriate language toward a game official.”
According to NBA rules, “Any player or coach guilty of intentional physical contact with an official shall automatically be suspended without pay for one game. A fine and/or longer period of suspension will result if circumstances so dictate.
Last season with the San Antonio Spurs, Murray was ejected and fined $20,000 for throwing the game ball off the legs of a referee.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dejounte Murray may be investigated by NBA after incident with referee
