Efficient, fast-paced, and often capable of scoring points in bunches on their own, the Atlanta Hawks were perhaps stunned, upon forcing a normally-responsible Dallas Mavericks offense into six turnovers within the game’s first six minutes. In taking full advantage, Bogdan Bogdanović made certain that the reigning Western Conference champions knew that they weren’t the only team capable of a surprise of two. Perfectly positioned to hit the ground running in transition after his defensively-gifted teammate prompts Kyrie Irving into an indecisive turnover, Bogdanović races out, with only Jaden Hardy hindering his scoring path. One step behind physically, but two steps ahead mentally, Bogdanović leaves the Mavericks’ guard in need of a map after a silky-smooth behind-the-back gather before dropping in a crowd-inspiring layup. Dallas would eventually find its footing, dealing Atlanta a loss; Bogdanović, though, remained one of the game’s must-sees, tossing in 18 points (on 8-of-15 shooting), alongside three rebounds, one steal, and two 3-pointers on November 25, 2024. · Nov 26, 2024