After trailing behind two games in the seven-game series, the Atlanta Hawks finally managed to get their number on the scoreboard. The Hawks defeated the Boston Celtics in Game 3 with a 121-129 win but went on to drop Game 4 afterward. Now,? a major update regarding the 26-year-old Hawks star may raise some pressing concerns going into Game 5, which also may be a blessing in disguise for Jayson Tatum and the Celtics.
The Boston Celtics had the opportunity to sweep the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. But now, the series may come to an end sooner than Atlanta fans would want it to.
Alarming news for the Atlanta Hawks
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The talented duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown both poured in 31 points each for Game 4. And even with Trae Young and the rest of the squad’s amazing performance, it was not enough for the Hawks to even out the series with a Game 4 victory.
Now, according to an update by ESPN writer Tim Bontemps, Dejounte Murray has been suspended for Game 5 for ?making inappropriate contact with and verbally abusing a game official.?
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Murray played a huge role for the Hawks in Game 4 with a 23-point performance despite their loss to the Celtics. But after the final buzzer went off, Murray intentionally bumped into an official and also had some words for him.
Dejounte Murray appeared to say something to a ref after the Hawks’ Game 4 loss.
(via @creatorjordan23) pic.twitter.com/2KdiRpZqed
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 24, 2023
The league issued an investigation into that matter and came up with a decision to suspend Murray for Game 5 between the two teams.
Given that Boston now has a commanding 3-1 lead, the Hawks would need everything in their arsenal to extend the series.
Jayson Tatum and the Celtics may finish off the series in Game 5
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The one-two-punch combo of the Boston Celtics has been nothing but in form for the entirety of the series. Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been averaging more than 20 points per game for the playoffs.
Apart from the two Celtics? stars, Derrick White and Marcus Smart have been great on the offensive end of the floor. Now, with Dejounte Murray out for Game 5, it is doubtful as to who will help out Trae Young on offense.
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Not only did Murray contribute on offense but was a great defensive presence on the floor as well. So, it will surely be hard for the Hawks to triumph over a Celtics team that is at full strength for this series.
Let?s see what gameplan Atlanta comes up with for Game 5 against the Boston Celtics.