ATLANTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 23: Dejounte Murray #5 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after drawing a foul on a basket against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round Playoffs at State Farm Arena on April 23, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Hawks' Murray suspended for pivotal Game 5 for contact with official

Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The NBA suspended Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray for the team's do-or-die Game 5 contest Tuesday against the Boston Celtics for making inappropriate contact with and verbally abusing a game official, the league announced.

The incident occurred immediately following the Hawks' 129-121 Game 4 loss to the Celtics on Sunday.

Dejounte Murray has been suspended for Game 5 against the Celtics after making contact with an official at the end of the Hawks Game 4 loss. pic.twitter.com/3U2Uhd3afE
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 24, 2023

It's unclear what prompted Murray's actions toward the official. Atlanta took one less free throw than the Celtics and committed one more foul.

Murray put up 23 points, nine rebounds, and six assists in Sunday's contest. He's averaging 25.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 5.8 assists across the series' four games.

After dropping both contests in Boston, the Hawks used an efficient offensive display to down the Celtics in Game 3 before coming up just short Sunday.

Without its starting guard in the lineup, Atlanta will turn to reserve Bogdan Bogdanovic to play extra minutes.