Rajon Rondo ejected for bumping referee (VIDEO)
For a second, the Boston Celtics looked capable of orchestrating a masterful comeback from a 17-point deficit in their Game 1 matchup against the Hawks in Atlanta. Then, with 41 seconds left in the fourth quarter and down just four points, everything went terribly wrong.
As the shot clock wound down for the Hawks, Kevin Garnett knocked the ball away from Joe Johnson to start a scrum on the floor. Brandon Bass eventually fouled Josh Smith — a controversial call given the mess on the ground — which ticked off star Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo screamed in the face of official Marc Davis, who gave him a reasonable technical foul. It didn't stop there, though, as Rondo kept walking towards Davis and bumped him in the back with his chest. That earned Rondo a second technical, an automatic ejection, and possibly a coming suspension for contact with an official.
After the jump, check out video of Rondo's postgame remarks, along with more discussion of his potential punishment.
The Hawks then made three free throws — the technical shot by Ivan Johnson, plus two for Josh Smith from the Bass foul — effectively icing the game as Atlanta finished with an 83-74 win. However, the greater issue might be for the Celtics moving forward. In a seven-game series, even a one-game suspension can have a huge effect. That's especially true given that the Celtics are already uncertain of Ray Allen's availability as he recovers from bone spurs in his ankle.
[Related: Josh Smith leads Hawks past Ray Allen-less Celtics]
If you watch the video, it appears that Rondo trips right before bumping Davis. According to Paul Flannery of WEEI.com, Rondo claims it was not intentional. And while Celtics fans might have a case for no suspension, Rondo also continued after tripping and pushed his chest out a little bit. Using prior incidents as precedent, I imagine Rondo will have to sit out at least one game. Celtics coach Doc Rivers thinks differently — as noted by the Celtics' official Twitter account, Rivers said he'd be surprised if Rondo misses any games (via SB Nation).
Game 2 tips off in Atlanta on Tuesday night, so we should know more about Rondo's status soon. Stay tuned to BDL for more info.
(Video via Ben Golliver)
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