ATLANTA (AP) — Zaccharie Risacher had every reason to feel fatigued after playing four games in six days. But the Atlanta Hawks rookie was anything but sluggish in his standout performance against New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
“I’m tired,” Risacher admitted when asked about the grind of such a demanding stretch, but his exhaustion didn’t show as he delivered the biggest game of his young career. Risacher erupted for 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks in the Hawks’ 121-116 win, setting a new career high in points. His 33 points are the most by a rookie this season, easily surpassing his previous best of 17.
The 2024 NBA draft’s top overall pick has been thrust into the starting lineup for the past seven games following an injury to De’Andre Hunter. Though he had shown flashes of promise, his early numbers had been inconsistent. With Risacher entering the game shooting just 21.1% from beyond the arc and 32.9% from the floor. But Hawks head coach Quin Snyder has encouraged him to stay confident and keep firing.
“He tells me to shoot the ball,” Risacher said of Snyder’s guidance. “That’s not just from him, but from everyone on the coaching staff and my teammates. It helps boost my confidence.”
Risacher took that advice to heart, draining six three-pointers on the night, including a blistering 5-for-7 performance from beyond the arc in the first half. He also showcased his playmaking and driving ability, finishing one sequence with a smooth left-handed floater in the lane.
The rookie’s clutch play was crucial down the stretch. With 1:31 left and the game tied at 110-110, Risacher caught a pass from Trae Young near the foul line and calmly sank a key shot in the paint. Young credited Risacher for his awareness and composure during the critical possession.
“We’ve practiced that,” Young said. “He went to the middle. I knew where to find him, and he knew what to do. Zac made a hell of a play. It was a big possession for us.”
In the locker room afterward, Risacher’s teammates were ecstatic for the rookie, understanding the challenges of starting an NBA career. “It made me super happy to see how people reacted to me being good,” Risacher said, visibly moved by support.
With his performance, Risacher now leads all rookies with an average of 12 points per game and has seen his three-point shooting improve to 27%.
“He’s going to have ups and downs,” Coach Snyder noted. “His progress isn’t going to be linear. But he’s got to stay at it. We have confidence in him, whether he’s making shots or not. Today, he was also really solid on the defensive glass.”
For Risacher, the night marked a significant milestone in his development, and for the Hawks, it could be a glimpse into the bright future the young star has ahead.
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