The Atlanta Hawks are currently in a tight spot. After kickstarting their 2023 playoff series with a disappointing loss, the Hawks are visibly struggling to keep up with the Boston Celtics. Trailing Jayson Tatum‘s team by 1-3, the Hawks will need to step up their game in the next faceoff or lose the chance to make it to the next round. Amid all that, a particular NBA All-Star recently landed under the spotlight due to his controversial conduct causing several fans to draw a parallel between him and Tatum.
After having won three games so far, things are looking rather good for the Celtics. Given their devastating defeat in the previous year’s Finals, the Celtics have remained one of the top contending teams throughout this season, seemingly determined more than anyone to get another shot at the championship.
NBA launches an investigation on Hawks star
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After making a glorious comeback in Game 3, the Atlanta Hawks are now on the brink of elimination following tonight’s loss. Following the loss, Hawks star Dejounte Murray caught the NBA world’s attention after he seemingly bumped into one of the refs, Gediminas Petraitis, while on his way off the court.
It is yet to be decided if the ‘collision’ with Petraitis was intentional or simply just an accident. However, the viral social media video was enough for the league to launch an investigation and look further into the matter, as per reports by Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
The NBA is investigating Hawks guard Dejounte Murray’s actions toward officials at the end of Game 4 Sunday night, a league source told ESPN.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) April 24, 2023
This comes in just minutes after Tatum was seemingly fouled by Trae Young and fell on the sidelines while attempting a shot. Seconds later, the Celtics star ‘collided’ with Petraitis while walking past Young and his teammates.
Jayson Tatum pushes one ref and yell at another one but they focus on Trae Young 😂🤦🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/z9TVkss2yS
— Roy Harris 💨 (@Brotha2ThaNite) April 24, 2023
Twitterati compares Jayson Tatum to Dejounte Murray
While there is no telling if Tatum and Murray’s ‘bump’ with the ref was intentional, the prospect of Murray’s suspension for Game 5 did not sit well with the fans. Shortly after the video of Murray’s ‘collision’ with the basketball official went viral, fans expressed their thoughts on the incident and drew comparisons between his and Tatum’s situation. One fan posted Tatum’s video and wrote, “He better not get any suspension or fine”.
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Whereas, another user wrote, “I mean it was fine when Tatum did it.” Take a look at a few more of the tweets.
He better not get any suspension or finehttps://t.co/pG8anTcUYt
— PLAYOFFS TRAE 🥶🐐 (@ATL_Trae11) April 24, 2023
I mean it was fine when Tatum did it 🤷🏻♂️
— Tracks Dodge (@BigRedDawg08) April 24, 2023
So tf what, Tatum literally pushed a ref outta the way and nothing happened to him
— Melly Mel (@melly_mel_06) April 24, 2023
This is less than what Tatum did (while getting fts)
— Andrew Crosby (@abcrosby8) April 24, 2023
Several fans seemingly anticipate a suspension for the controversial ‘bump’ and wrote, “Guess we won’t see him in Game 5”.
Guess we won’t see him in Game 5
— The Orange Tiger (@orangetiger70) April 24, 2023
Welp. His season is over.
— Aegon (@RobertPet73) April 24, 2023
Suspension incoming.
— x – 𝙓𝔇𝔢𝔢𝔭 (@TenDeep_) April 24, 2023
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Despite having scored a game-high 35 points and 15 assists, Trae Young failed to lead his team to victory. Murray added 23 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Whereas, Tatum led his team with 31 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
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The Celtics will be looking to wrap up the series in Boston on Tuesday. Who do you think will come out on top? Let us know in the comments.