Dejounte Murray
A two-way guard who brought scoring, playmaking, and defensive tenacity to the Hawks backcourt.
Dejounte Murray is an American professional basketball player who played for the Atlanta Hawks from 2022 to 2024. He was acquired by the Hawks in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs on June 30, 2022, in exchange for Danilo Gallinari and multiple future first-round picks. During his time with the Hawks, Murray established himself as a dynamic two-way guard, pairing scoring and playmaking with disruptive defense.
- Position
- Point Guard / Shooting Guard
- Team Affiliation
- Atlanta Hawks (NBA)
- Draft Year
- 2016 (1st Round)
- Status
- Active Roster Member
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Murray's time with the Hawks was marked by a series of career-high scoring performances and clutch moments. On November 2, 2022, he recorded a then-career-high 36 points in a win over the New York Knicks. He surpassed that mark multiple times, scoring 40 points on January 30, 2023, and then 41 points on March 3, 2023, against the Portland Trail Blazers. On October 30, 2023, he tied that career-high with 41 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Murray also developed a reputation for game-winning shots. On November 9, 2023, he hit a game-winning three-pointer to beat the Orlando Magic. He followed that with buzzer-beating, game-winning shots in back-to-back games on January 17 and January 19, 2024, against the Magic and the Miami Heat, respectively. On March 28, 2024, he scored a new career-high 44 points, including a game-winning mid-range jumpshot in an overtime win against the Boston Celtics.
In Their Own Story
The ball swung to Dejounte Murray on the wing, the clock winding down in a tie game against the Orlando Magic on November 9, 2023. With the defense closing out, Murray rose and released a three-pointer. The ball splashed through the net as the buzzer sounded, giving the Hawks a 116–115 victory. It was the first of several game-winners he would deliver for Atlanta, including a buzzer-beating shot in a 106–104 win over the same Magic team on January 17, 2024, and another game-winning shot the very next game against the Miami Heat on January 19.
Reader's Guide
During his tenure with the Atlanta Hawks, Dejounte Murray operated as a primary ball-handler and scoring guard alongside Trae Young. His role involved initiating the offense, creating his own shot, and serving as a secondary playmaker. Offensively, Murray was a versatile scorer who could attack the rim, pull up from mid-range, and hit three-pointers. He frequently used ball screens to create space and was capable of carrying the scoring load, as shown by his multiple 40-point games. His ability to score without dominating the ball allowed him to fit alongside Young. Defensively, Murray used his length and quick hands to generate steals and disrupt passing lanes. He was often tasked with guarding the opponent's best perimeter player. His defensive activity created transition opportunities for the Hawks, and he was a key part of their backcourt identity.
Did You Know?
- Murray was traded to the Atlanta Hawks on June 30, 2022, alongside Jock Landale, for Danilo Gallinari and multiple future first-round picks.
- On March 28, 2024, Murray scored a career-high 44 points, including a game-winning mid-range jumpshot in a 123–122 overtime win over the Boston Celtics.
- Murray hit game-winning shots in back-to-back games on January 17 and January 19, 2024, against the Orlando Magic and Miami Heat, respectively.
- In Game 3 of the 2023 playoffs, Murray joined Trae Young as the first pair of Hawks teammates to each put up at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a playoff game since 1966.
- On July 9, 2023, Murray signed a four-year, $120 million extension with the Hawks through the 2027–28 season.