Hawks assign Zaccharie Risacher to G League. The move aims to accelerate his return from injury and regain rhythm with controlled play.
The Atlanta Hawks took a measured step Sunday toward getting one of their youngest rotation pieces back on the floor.
The Hawks assigned Zaccharie Risacher to the College Park Skyhawks, a move designed to accelerate his return from a left knee bone bruise as Atlanta continues to evaluate his availability and conditioning following an extended absence.
Risacher has missed the past eight games, the latest interruption in a season that has struggled to gain continuity amid multiple injuries. The 20-year-old forward has appeared in 36 games, averaging 11.2 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists while shooting 36 percent from 3-point range. Atlanta has not provided a firm timeline for his return, but the G League assignment signals tangible progress in his rehabilitation.
The decision comes at a time when the Hawks are attempting to build consistency on both ends of the floor while navigating lineup uncertainty. Assigning Risacher to College Park allows him to ramp up basketball activity in live settings without the immediate pressure of NBA game minutes, a common practice for teams managing players coming off injuries that sideline them for multiple weeks.
Before the knee injury, Risacher had begun to show signs of rhythm and confidence. Over a 10-game stretch preceding the setback, he reached double figures in scoring six times and shot 47 percent from beyond the arc while taking nearly five 3-pointers per game. The Hawks had encouraged a more assertive approach during that span, with Risacher attacking closeouts and shooting without hesitation.
That momentum was halted on Jan. 7 in a 117-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans, when Risacher slipped and fell awkwardly, suffering the bone bruise that sidelined him. Despite the injury, the game marked one of his most impactful performances of the season, as he scored 25 points and knocked down seven of nine attempts from deep before exiting.
Since then, Atlanta has exercised caution, prioritizing long-term health over a rushed return. The assignment to the Skyhawks gives Risacher access to full practices, controlled scrimmages and, if cleared, game action designed to restore timing and conditioning after two weeks away from competition.
The Hawks have used similar strategies earlier this season. Trae Young was assigned to College Park during his return-to-play process following a right MCL sprain, using the affiliate to regain rhythm before rejoining Atlanta’s rotation. Around the league, the approach has become standard, with the Los Angeles Lakers assigning LeBron James to the South Bay Lakers earlier this season as he worked back from sciatica.
For Atlanta, the move also provides flexibility as the team balances short-term results with player development. Risacher remains a central piece of the organization’s long-term plans, and ensuring his knee responds well to increased workload is a critical step before reintegrating him into NBA games.
While the Hawks have yet to announce a definitive return date, the assignment places Risacher on a clearer path forward.
If his body responds positively in College Park, the next update could bring clarity on when he’ll be available to contribute again in Atlanta, turning a cautious rehabilitation process into a meaningful step toward stability for both player and team.