Bogdanovic returns from injury to haunt former team; Hawks hand Kings fifth straight loss
Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic was cleared to return from a knee injury prior to Wednesday’s game against the Kings, just in time to face his former team.
Bogdanovic posted 18 points and seven assists in 23 minutes, leading the Hawks to a 121-104 victory over the Kings at State Farm Arena. Bogdanovic went 6 of 11 from the field with three 3-pointers after missing the past five games due to a knee injury.
Second-year forward Onyeka Okongwu had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Hawks (22-25), who have won five in a row. Trae Young had 17 points, 10 assists and four steals.
“Feels great to be back with boys!!” Bogdanovic tweeted after the game. “Good win fellas!!!”
Harrison Barnes had 28 points and nine rebounds to lead the Kings (18-32), who have lost five in a row and 10 of 12 to fall 14 games under .500.
“We ain’t gonna give up,” interim Kings coach Alvin Gentry said. “I can tell you we will not quit. As I said to the guys, I’ve never quit at anything in my life and this is not going to be the first thing.”
Rookie Davion Mitchell had 18 points and six assists. Tyrese Haliburton was held to 11 points on 5-of-14 shooting. Buddy Hield went 3 of 12 from the field and 1 of 8 from 3-point range to finish with eight points.
Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox missed his third consecutive game due to left ankle soreness. The team announced Terence Davis will be out indefinitely with a tendon injury in his right wrist. Chimezie Metu (left knee soreness) was out as well.
With Fox and Davis both out of commission, Mitchell made his second career start. Mitchell came out firing, going 4 of 4 from the field with two 3-pointers to score 10 points over the first five minutes.
The Kings led 33-21 at the end of the first quarter, but they were outscored 46-17 in the second. The Hawks led 67-50 at the half and continued to pour it on in the third quarter, going up by as many as 30.
“I thought Bogie came in and really was the one who got them over the hump, and then (Okongwu) came in and I thought he did a good job for them, rolling, taking the ball to the basket, laying it in,” Gentry said.
This story was originally published January 26, 2022 at 7:25 PM.
