NBA Rewind: The Night Bojan Bogdanovic Answered the Call

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

With 6 minutes and 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter of game three of the 2018 first round series between the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers, the stage was set.

For three consecutive quarters, the No. 6 seeded Cavaliers, led by LeBron James, throttled the No. 5 seeded Pacers, with Indiana last leading six minutes into the first quarter, and Cleveland garnering as high as a 17-point lead at halftime.

However, much like they had all season, the Pacers slowly clawed their way back. With 9:07 left in the final period, it was a bit shocking to see Indiana within six points, 75-70, of obtaining the lead. It was at this very moment something magic started to happen.

The NBA's most improved player, Victor Oladipo, a blossoming star at the time, was having an off night. The guard, who averaged a terrific 47% from the field, 37% from three, finished the game having shot at a 33% clip, connecting on a single 3-pointer on eight attempts. Somebody needed to step up to ease the struggles.

It was journeyman Bojan Bogdanovic who answered the call.

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The common upbringing of a European basketball star, Bogdanovic had years of professional experience prior to making his way to the Brooklyn Nets in 2014. As a young player, he bounced around Zrinjski Mostar, Real Madrid's junior team, Murcia and Cibona before landing an official Euroleague contract with Fenerbahçe Ülker.

During his three-year stint with Ulker, he was a top scorer in the Euroleague, averaging 14.56 points per game across three seasons. His success allowed him to get drafted No. 31 by the Miami Heat, where he'd end up getting traded twice, eventually landing with the Brooklyn Nets.

Contract negotiations delayed his arrival, but nevertheless, Bogdanovic arrived in 2014 and quickly earned a starting role. It was during that "rookie" season that Bogdanovic introduced himself in clutch moments.

In the Nets' final game of the season against the Orlando Magic, Bogdanovic dropped 28 points to assist the Nets (38-44) in securing the final playoff spot, where they'd face the No. 1 seed Atlanta Hawks (60-22), taking them to six games before getting dispelled.

The following two seasons saw Bogdanovic grow as a scorer and efficient role player, both with the Nets and Wizards. His contributions were enough to land a two-year, $21 million contract with the Indiana Pacers, a place where he'd start putting the pieces together, becoming the team's second leading scorer in 17-18 (14.3 points), and following Oladipo's injury during the 2018-19 season, earning the lead scoring role.

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With a series tied 1-1, this was only the beginning of what was a contentious 7-game series between the Pacers and Cavaliers. Matching against the best player in the world, Indiana needed to take game three if they wanted a shot at dethroning the King.

Through the first three quarters, Bogdanovic outpaced his teammates with 15 points, shooting 6 of 8, and knocking down 3 of 5 attempts from downtown. As odd it might sound, through the first 36 minutes, he was only warming up.

With 9:04 in the 4th, Bogdanovic connected on an open three from the left wing that inched the Pacers within two points, 75-73, of tying the game. Oladipo proceeded to score the team's next four points, leaving a decisive game tied up at 77, and setting the stage for one of the biggest shots of Bogdanovic's career.

Oladipo advanced the ball past the logo and rushed to the top of the key, collapsing two Cavs' defenders inward and freeing up Bogdanovic near the right corner. Noticing the open man, Oladipo tossed it to him. Cavs guard Kyle Korver noticed the open man, too, but it was too late.

Bogdanovic rose and fired the deep ball, catching Korver's body in the process.

Que the great Mike Breen: "Count it and a foul!"

After three quarters of trying to scratch and claw their way back into the game, the Pacers took an 81-77 lead.

The game wasn't over, but neither was Bogdanovic. With 5:40 left he hit another 3-pointer, this time in transition, upping the Pacer's lead to 84-77 and forcing a Cavaliers timeout. Bankers Life Fieldhouse went berserk.

Shortly thereafter, Bogdanovic picked up his fifth foul, forcing Nate MacMillan to preserve Bogdanovic's hot hand. During his time on the bench, the Cavaliers went on a short 6-0 run thanks to back-to-back threes by LeBron. Bogdanovic checked back in with 3:41 left on the clock, and at the 3:25 mark, a free throw make by James tied the game back up at 84.

The Croatian star followed suit with a layup in traffic over James to help the Pacers retake the lead, 86-84, with 3:09 remaining. Bogdanovic, now at 27 points, was playing out of his mind, accounting for 12 of the Pacers last 16 points, all within a six-minute span.

But was he done yet? Nope. He capped off the big night with his wildest shot yet. With two seconds on the shot clock, and 2:28 in the game, Bogdanovic pulled from 30-feet away.

Dagger.

***

Indiana managed to hold on to the lead, winning 92-90 to take a 2-1 lead over the Cavs. Bogdanovic finished the game with 30 points, scoring 15 in the fourth quarter, making all but four shots and going 7 for 9 from deep.

Cleveland wound up taking the hotly contested first-round series 4-3, eventually advancing to the NBA Finals, where they'd lose to the Golden State Warriors.

Bogdanovic's awe-inspiring performance is one of the most memorable in Pacers' recent history, and one of those great "where were you" moments, at least in Indiana. Nothing about that game was normal, nor was such a bizarre experience expected, and that's what makes it so special.

Now days, Bogdanovic is playing for the Pacers' conference rival, the Detroit Pistons, where he wrapped up a career-best campaign, averaging 21.6 points on 48% and 41% from deep. But regardless of where he's at, Bogdanovic and that game three performance will always hold a special place in the hearts of many Pacers' fans alike.

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