Rajon Rondo Suspended For Game 2 Vs. Hawks After Bumping Official

Rajon Rondo Suspended 1 Game For Bumping Referee

The verdict is in. Rajon Rondo has received a one-game suspension for bumping referee Mark Davis in the final minute of the Boston Celtics' 83-74 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of their 2012 NBA Playoffs first-round series, according to A. Sherrod Blakely of CSN New England.

#CelticsTalk: #Celtics prez of basketball ops Danny Ainge confirms to #CSNNE.com that Rondo will be suspended for Game 2 vs. #Hawks.

— A. Sherrod Blakely (@SherrodbCSN) April 30, 2012

Update: The NBA officially announced the suspension.

The suspension isn't a surprise. Earlier on Monday, NBA commissioner David Stern said that he believed Rondo intentionally bumped Davis, and bumping an official is an automatic suspension. Rondo's story was that he was tripped and fell into Davis, but it appears that he put his chest out intentionally as he came towards Davis. Rondo also has a history of being abrasive towards officials, having been suspended two games for throwing the ball at a referee earlier in the season.

Rondo's suspension mean the Celtics will likely have to start youngster Avery Bradley at point guard in Game 2 on Tuesday. It remains to be seen if Ray Allen, who missed Game 1 with an ankle injury, will return to the lineup and play shooting guard alongside Bradley.

For news and analysis on these two teams, be sure to visit CelticsBlog, SB Nation Boston, Hawks blog Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.

David Stern Says Rajon Rondo 'Obviously' Bumped Official In Celtics Vs. Hawks Game 1

The NBA has yet to officially discipline Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo for bumping official Mark Davis in the Celtics' 83-74 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of their 2012 NBA Playoffs series, but David Stern's recent quotes on the matter certainly make it seem like a suspension is coming. In an interview with ESPN Boston, Stern poked a gigantic hole in Rondo's story that he was tripped and his momentum caused him to fall on Davis.

"I don’t want to pre-judge on what the recommendation is going to be," Stern said. "But as a fan, he obviously bumped him. And you know what happens with respect to that."

Stern later said that the league has a "hard and fast" rule about making contact with officials. Given that, and given Rondo's past history getting into it with officials, it looks increasingly likely that he will miss at least one game in the series.

For news and analysis on these two teams, be sure to visit CelticsBlog, SB Nation Boston, Hawks blog Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.

Rajon Rondo On His Ejection: 'I Didn't Intentionally Chest Bump Him'

Rajon Rondo finally spoke to reporters about his ejection from the Boston Celtics' 83-74 Game 1 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday night. Rondo, who was thrown out for bumping official Mark Davis in the final minute, claimed that he did not hit him intentionally.

Rajon Rondo: "I didn't intentionally chest bump him. I know the rules." #Celtics

— SB Nation Boston (@sbnationboston) April 30, 2012

Rondo argued that his momentum from being tripped carried him into Davis and caused the bump. When asked about the possibility of being suspended, he said that's out of his hands and up to the league. Looking at the video, it appears that Rondo did trip, but he also pretty clearly stuck his chest out in a manner that goes beyond losing momentum.

Game 2 is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

For news and analysis on these two teams, be sure to visit CelticsBlog, SB Nation Boston, Hawks blog Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.

Doc Rivers Would Be 'Surprised' If Rajon Rondo Is Suspended For Bumping Official

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers was the first person to talk to the media following Rajon Rondo's ejection for bumping official Mark Davis at the end of the team's 83-74 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 1 of its 2012 NBA Playoffs series. Rivers defended his point guard, saying that he doesn't believe Rondo will be suspended.

Doc Rivers RE Rondo's ejection: "We always worry (about a suspension), but I would be surprised (if it happened)."

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 30, 2012

Rivers' defense is understandable, but it doesn't look good for Rondo. For one, the NBA's official rulebook states that any contact with an official results in an automatic one-game suspension. For another, Rondo is a repeat offender of sorts, having been suspended two games earlier this season for throwing the ball at an official.

If Rondo is suspended, the Celtics would probably slide Avery Bradley to point guard, a move that has not worked out well in the past.

For news and analysis on these two teams, be sure to visit CelticsBlog, SB Nation Boston, Hawks blog Peachtree Hoops and SB Nation Atlanta.

VIDEO: Rajon Rondo Ejected, Probably Facing A Suspension