Game of the season
There were plenty of contenders for Malcolm Brogdon’s game of the season. I could have opted for his 25 points in a one-point win over the Kings, or his 20 points to give the Bucks a chance in the double-overtime Game 3 against Toronto, but instead I’m going back earlier in the season.
When the Chicago Bulls visited Fiserv Forum on November 28 to face the high-flying Bucks, it turned out to be a much closer game than most could have anticipated.
In the end, the Bucks prevailed with a three-point win, thanks to monster games from Brogdon and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who had 36 points.
For Brogdon, this was a 24-point outing, with six assists and five rebounds thrown in for good measure. Most impressive of all though was Brogdon’s startling efficiency, as he knocked down 8-of-11 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from three-point range.
That marked a season-high in terms of makes from behind the arc for Brogdon, but his good work wasn’t finished there either.
With just over five seconds remaining and the game all tied up, Brogdon walked straight into what would have been a contested look from around the free throw line. It’s the kind of shot he could certainly make, and one that he’d likely have expected to given how well he played on this occasion.
Instead, demonstrating excellent decision-making and unselfishness, Brogdon dished a pass back to a wide open Khris Middleton at the top of the arc, who drained a dagger three-pointer to win the game.
If ever there was a game to typify Brogdon’s professionalism, basketball intelligence and skill, this was it.