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.
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