Bogdan Bogdanovic joins Hawks legend in elite company in win over Lakers

The Atlanta Hawks have come to rely on the sparkplug affect Bogdan Bogdanovic can have.

A capable starter, he has been lethal off the bench and was effective again during the Hawks’ matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.

“With a 3PM in the first quarter tonight, Bogdan Bogdanović of the @ATLHawks has now recorded at least 1 3PM in 100 straight games, becoming 4th player (5th instance) to do so in NBA History,” NBA.com’s stats handle posted on X on December 5. 

“He joins: Stephen Curry (2x), Damian Lillard, Kyle Korver.”

Curry is a future Hall of Famer. Lillard is at least in the Hall of Very Damn Good. And Korver was a legend on the court for the Hawks before returning years later to become assistant GM now.

Bogdanovic finished with 20 points on 53.8% shooting and a 4-for-9 mark from downtown, adding 6 rebounds and 1 assist. His return has been essential to the Hawks’ turnaround as they rattled off five straight wins.

They went to overtime with the Lakers, but the outcome cannot take away Bogdanovic’s accomplishment.

The swingman missed a lot of time and then endured a shooting slump after returning.

That he is turning his game around now bodes well for the young Hawks as they learn each other. His name will surely come up in trade speculation, especially if the Hawks hit a rough patch in the schedule.

But it is good to see Bogdanovic round into form. His absence was supremely disappointing given his showing during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. 

Bogdanovic is also on a relatively economical contract.

Bogdan Bogdanovic a steadying presence for young Hawks

As the Hawks continue to sort through their roster construction for the long term, Bogdanovic’s game figures to fit into any configuration. And his renewed commitment on the defensive end means he does not have to come off the floor in critical moments.

That allows the Hawks to get out and run and they have been lethal in transition this season. And he will still hold that solid trade value as long as his body holds up.

That is another reason it always made sense to bring him off the bench behind Daniels.

The Hawks took the Lakers down in overtime, extending their winning streak to six games. They are now two games above .500 on the season at 13-11. They will next be in action against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday.

For Bogdanovic, it is his sixth double-digit performance in his last seven appearances. His lone miss on that mark came in his first game back from a one-game absence. He is the model of consistency.

Bogdanovic’s 20 points were a season-high, though, which again bodes well for the Hawks.