Hawks forward Marvin Williams was ejected from Game 7 of Atlanta’s playoff series against Boston on Sunday when he slammed Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo to the floor to prevent a layup.

Rondo got the ball on a breakaway in the third quarter and had only Williams to beat. Williams put an arm across his chest and took Rondo to the floor, where he lay for a few minutes while Celtics coaches and teammates checked on him.

The officials immediately signaled a Flagrant 2 foul and, after reviewing the play, threw Williams out of the game.

The series between the surprising Hawks, who had the worst record of any NBA playoff team, and the league-leading Celtics has been sprinkled with physical play. Boston star Kevin Garnett avoided suspension for a Game 4 skirmish in which he pushed off a peacemaking referee.

Williams, himself injured in a collision with Paul Pierce in Game 6, averaged 12.2 points and 3.5 rebounds in the series.