Atlanta Hawks: Bogdan Bogdanovic played better in Game 2

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 25: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends against Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum on June 25, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JUNE 25: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks defends against Bogdan Bogdanovic #13 of the Atlanta Hawks during the second half in game two of the Eastern Conference Finals at Fiserv Forum on June 25, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic has been battling through knee soreness since Game 5 of the last round against the Philadelphia 76ers. Head Coach Nate McMillan has said it’s unrelated to his avulsion fracture and he hasn’t missed any games. But his minutes have dipped. His scoring and efficiency have also been way down as his mobility and lift have been sapped.

It was a major concern heading into Game 2. But, in the absolute worst game the Hawks have played this postseason, Bogdanovic looked as good as he has in quite some time.

Bogdan Bogdanovic had his best performance in a while in Game 2, can he keep it up or even improve?

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He didn’t exactly light the world on fire, but his eight points were the most he’s scored since the Philly series in Game 4 when he had 26 points. He’s obviously nowhere close to that, and he’s still not moving the same. But he looks like he might be getting comfortable.

That’s probably a relative term when dealing with any kind of injury.

Bogdanovic’s game isn’t predicated on his athleticism, though. He’s skilled offensively and is fresh off a three-game stretch in which he had seven steals.

"“It’s pretty obvious that there’s some soreness there, but this is the way this team has been built. He does not want to sit out,” McMillan said prior to Game 2, adding, ”Absolutely, having him out on the floor helps us tremendously.”"

That might not be the popular opinion of those watching as Bogi had shot 24 percent from the floor and 0.83 percent (yes, you read that correctly) in the three games leading up to the second act of the Eastern Conference Finals. This is a player who shot better than 47 percent from the floor and 41 percent from three during the regular season.

The signs of improvement aren’t just in his scoring total. He was efficient in his 18 minutes, going 50 percent from the floor and beyond the arc, as the Hawks starters got pulled early in the blowout loss to the Bucks.

As the Hawks try to bounce back in Game 3 at home, they’ll need Bogdanovic to keep improving incrementally (i.e. deal with the discomfort) and doing things to help when his shot isn’t falling.

McMillan has shown a lot of faith by sticking with Bogdanovic even when it wasn’t as evident that he was still contributing to the team in a positive way. And even more so with Cam Reddish finally back in action and looking good. In such a crucial moment for this team, staying the course has its benefits. Likewise, pulling a player isn’t always received as well as it’s intended.

If there was anything positive to take away from Game 2, let it be that they might be getting a version of Bogdanovic closer to the one who averaged 16 points through the first nine games of the postseason instead of the one who’s averaging 5.8 points per game across his last five.