The Hawks entered a must-win Game 5 of their first-round series against the Celtics without star guard Dejounte Murray.
Murray, the team’s second-leading scorer at 20.5 points per game, wasn’t with the team after the one-game suspension for bumping into referee Gediminas Petraitis in Game 4.
He said Tuesday in pregame media availability that he felt he had experienced “one-sided” treatment from Petraitis dating back to his time with the Spurs. And with the Hawks trailing 3–1 in the series entering Game 5, the suspension meant Murray could have missed the game that ended Atlanta’s season.
Hawks star Trae Young had other ideas though, pouring in a game-high 38 points, including a game-winning three with 2.8 seconds to go. That capped a furious rally from 13 down with under six minutes to go in the game to stave off elimination.
Postgame, a jubilant Young FaceTimed Murray into the Hawks’ locker room to celebrate the win.
Trae FaceTimed DJ from the locker room ❄️📲 pic.twitter.com/pLcXtkWCpD
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 26, 2023
Young told reporters afterward his message to Murray was a simple one: Be ready.
DM5 back for Game 6 pic.twitter.com/yyzMYIT5gO
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) April 26, 2023
“I told him before the game we were going to take care of business so he can play in Atlanta,” Young said. “Can’t wait to see everybody in Atlanta.”
Game 6 of the series is Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. ET.
