Peachtree Hoops: Bogdan Bogdanovic, Hawks fall short in loss to Denver Nuggets 129-122

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Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images

The Atlanta Hawks lost to the Denver Nuggets in a home contest on Monday night. With De’Andre Hunter out, the starters for the Atlanta Hawks were Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Garrison Mathews, Saddiq Bey, and Clint Capela. Starting for the Nuggets were Jamal Murray, Kentavius Caldwell-Pope, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Nikola Jokic.

The Hawks were able to take a 27-18 lead with a few minutes remaining in the first quarter. Thanks to six combined three-pointers from Bogdanovic (3), Murray (2), and Young (1), the Hawks were able to secure a 36-28 lead entering the second quarter. Jokic had scored eight of the Nuggets’ 28 points.

Trae with ease from logo range

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The Nuggets came back and outscored the Hawks 37-26 in the second quarter. Julian Strawther caught fire with 19 points and five made threes while Jokic, Jamal Murray, and Gordon were in double figures. Young, Dejounte Murray, and Bogdan Bogdanovic combined for 40 of the Hawks’ 62 points as they trailed by three at half.

The Nuggets completely took over in the third quarter, mounting a 20 point lead after a three from Julian Strawther. Luckily, Bogdanovic stayed hot for the Hawks. However, after a no-call on the offensive end, Trae Young picked up two technical fouls and was ejected from the game late in the third. The Hawks trailed 104-86 entering the fourth.

Trae Young was ejected with two technical fouls after arguing a missed call on this play. pic.twitter.com/cqiZppBXZU

— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) December 12, 2023

The Hawks were able to cut the lead to just 11 points, but an offensive rebound that turned into a Jamal Murray three extended the deficit back to 14. But, as the quarter continued, Bogdanovic turned completely unconscious. He single-handedly brought the Hawks within five points.

Bogi has 10 threes and 40 points.

Both are career highs.@LeaderOfHorde | @ATLHawks. pic.twitter.com/L5JiLOpMov

— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) December 12, 2023

However, the Hawks couldn’t further capitalize with a chance to cut the lead any further. Ten three-pointers from Bogdanovic was not enough to complete the comeback. Though outscored 36-26 in the fourth quarter, the Nuggets escaped with a 129-122 win.

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