Hawks' Dejounte Murray: Sneaky double-double in return
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Murray closed Thursday's 128-120 loss to the Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals with 14 points (5-13 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 3-3 FT), seven rebounds, 11 assists and one steal in 38 minutes.
Murray returned from a one-game suspension, ending with a double-double as the Hawks were finally bundled out of the playoffs. On the whole, Murray put together a serviceable season, yet he certainly fell short of the mark in a couple of areas. His fit alongside Trae Young remains questionable, especially given his continued inability to spread the floor with any regularity.
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Hawks' Dejounte Murray: Set to return Thursday
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Murray (suspension) is slated to be available for Thursday's Game 6 against the Celtics, Coley Harvey of ESPN reports.
Murray was suspended by the NBA for Tuesday's Game 5 after he made contact with an official during Sunday's matchup. However, he'll return to action Thursday after the Hawks managed to extend the series Tuesday. The 26-year-old has been productive over his first four playoff appearances against the Celtics, averaging 25.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals in 38.3 minutes per game.
Murray has been suspended by the NBA for Tuesday's Game 5 against Boston after making contact with an official following Sunday's Game 4 loss.
This doesn't come as a surprise, as Tim Bontemps of ESPN.com reported after Game 4 that a suspension was likely coming given the league's stance on players contacting officials. The Hawks are facing elimination in Game 5, so it's possible Murray has played his final contest this season. In his absence, Bogdan Bogdanovic is a strong candidate to move into the starting lineup, while AJ Griffin and Aaron Holiday could get their first minutes of the postseason. If Atlanta defeats Boston on Tuesday, Murray would be eligible to suit up in Game 6.
Hawks' Dejounte Murray: Facing possible suspension
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Murray could be facing a potential suspension after making contact with an official following Sunday's Game 4 loss to Boston. He finished the contest with 23 points (9-20 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 1-1 FT), nine rebounds, six assists, one block and one steal across 40 minutes.
Murray could be seen yelling at referee, Gediminas Petraitis, as he walked off the court Sunday, and he made contact with the official as they crossed paths. The NBA typically takes a hard stance on these sorts of actions, so it's possible Murray could be suspended for Game 5 on Tuesday. If that's the case, Bogdan Bogdanovic could get a spot start. Stay tuned.
Hawks' Dejounte Murray: Stellar from deep to lead offense
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Murray had 29 points (11-24 FG, 7-13 3Pt), six rebounds, six assists and four steals in 40 minutes during Tuesday's 119-106 loss to the Celtics in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Murray posted team-high marks in points, threes made, minutes played and a team-high-tying assist total while finishing one point short of surpassing the 30-point mark in Tuesday's loss. Murray has notched at least 20 points, five rebounds and five assists in both postseason appearances against Boston.
Murray ended with 24 points (10-25 FG, 0-6 3Pt, 4-4 FT), eight rebounds, six assists and three steals over 36 minutes during Saturday's 112-99 loss to the Celtics in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.
Murray didn't have his best outing and needed 25 shots to score 24 points, but he still carried the team offensively on an afternoon when Trae Young and Clint Capela also had rough performances. Murray ended the regular season on a solid note, scoring 15-plus points in eight of his last nine outings, and he accomplished that feat in the Play-In win over the Heat on Tuesday, so it seems he'll continue down that road in the postseason. The Hawks need him at his best to have a shot against the Celtics.
Hawks' Dejounte Murray: Nears 20 points as leader from deep
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Murray had 18 points (7-16 FG, 3-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds, six assists and one block over 37 minutes during Tuesday's 116-105 Play-In Tournament victory over the Heat.
Murray connected on a team-high-tying mark from three while finishing second on the team in scoring and as one of three Hawks players with 15 or more points Tuesday. Murray has tallied 15 or more points with at least five rebounds and five assists 25 times this year, though Tuesday's impressive numbers won't count toward his regular-season stats.
