Rondo Suspended For Bumping Official

Rajon Rondo has been suspended one game for bumping an official during the Boston Celtics victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

The hot tempered point guard was not given a technical foul during the game but the NBA decided to suspend Rondo for “making contact with a game official.”

Sports Illustrated reports that Rondo was called for an offensive foul with a little over three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Rondo went to dispute the call and bumped referee Rodney Mott on the shoulder with his chest. Mott did not give Rondo a technical at the time but the NBA has a no-contact rule between officials and players.

The no-contact rule reads:

“Any player or coach guilty of intentional physical contact with an official shall automatically be suspended without pay for one game. A fine and/or longer period of suspension will result if circumstances so dictate.”

Rondo’s one game suspension will end up costing him about $100,000.

This isn’t the first time that Rondo has been suspended for making contact with an official. During the playoffs last year Rondo chest-bumped referee Marc Davis. Head coach Doc Rivers said that Rondo’s most recent suspension may have been a result of his reputation.

Rivers told ESPN:

“Not much reaction, I’m just disappointed. I actually saw it when it happened and I didn’t think anything of it, honestly — and obviously, the official [Mott] didn’t either. They didn’t call a tech. But you know the old saying: You’re not given a reputation, you earn one. I’m sure that had a lot to do with it as well. Listen, we just move on, for us. I’m far more focused on the game tonight than that decision.”

Here’s the video of the play. Do you think Rajon Rondo deserved to be suspended?