ATLANTA — Rookie Zaccharie Risacher had a straightforward response when asked about his experience playing in four NBA games over the span of six days: “I’m tired.”
Despite his fatigue, Risacher shone brightly during the Hawks’ 121-116 win against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night. He recorded an impressive line with 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocked shots. This performance marked a significant achievement for him, as the 33 points were the highest scored by any rookie this season, surpassing his previous personal best of 17 points.
Since stepping into a starting role following De’Andre Hunter’s knee injury, Risacher has been navigating a mixed bag of results. Before this game, he had been struggling with a shooting percentage of just 21.1% from beyond the arc and 32.9% overall. Hawks coach Quin Snyder has been encouraging him to keep looking for his shot, regardless of the ups and downs he’s faced.
“He basically tells me to shoot the … ball,” Risacher noted, adding that support from both the coaching staff and teammates has greatly boosted his confidence.
In the game against the Knicks, Risacher excelled with 6-of-10 shooting from three-point territory and 11-of-18 overall, including a remarkable 5-for-7 in the first half. He also displayed his driving skills, successfully finishing a left-handed floater after maneuvering through the lane.
A critical moment came late in the game when Risacher tied the score at 110-110 with 1:31 on the clock. After being set up by Trae Young while being double-teamed, he made a crucial bucket from the foul line. Young commented on the play, noting they practiced that exact movement, indicating he knew where to find Risacher based on the defensive situation.
After the game, Snyder shared that the team’s joy for Risacher in the locker room highlighted the understanding of the struggles that come with the early stages of an NBA career. “It made me super happy to see how people reacted to me being good,” Risacher said, reflecting on the support he received from his teammates.
Currently, Risacher leads all rookies with an average of 12 points per game and has improved his three-point shooting percentage to 27% this season. Coach Snyder acknowledged that Risacher’s development may not follow a straight path, but he emphasized that the organization believes in him, regardless of whether his shots are falling. He also praised Risacher’s contributions on the defensive glass in this game.