Despite early-season bumps, Zaccharie Risacher finds rhythm through team cohesion, unwavering work ethic, and a commitment to growth.
A month and a half into the season, Zaccharie Risacher’s early NBA experience has included cold spells, injuries and stretches without the Atlanta Hawks’ All-Star point guard. Yet the 20-year-old forward continues to anchor himself to the steady progress of a team that has navigated those obstacles to reach a 14–11 record through 25 games.
That approach has helped him stay grounded through a demanding stretch. Looking at Atlanta’s early-season identity, Risacher said the group’s cohesion has been a bright spot.
“I feel like we’ve been playing good,” Risacher said. “The chemistry is great between us. We’re playing as a team, you know, I feel like everybody really fits into this philosophy, and we just got to keep going, you know, keep playing hard.”
He added that a brief window of home practices has allowed the roster to reassess and refine.
“And even though, it’s only like 25 games, there’s lot of game left,” he said. “I feel like that’s a good base for us to work on for the rest of the season. And now that we’re home for like, a couple of days, it’s great to have feedback and be able to practice a little bit, to see what we’ve been doing, what was working, what was now, if we wanted to make some adjustments.”
Through 22 games, Risacher has averaged 11.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.5 assists, shooting 45.3% from the floor, 29.6% from three and 67.7% at the line. The numbers track with his ups and downs: stretches of confidence, stretches disrupted by injuries and stretches reshaped by the Hawks’ shifting roster.
Teammates say his commitment behind the scenes has never wavered. Jalen Johnson said Risacher’s preparation reflects the mindset of someone determined to grow into his role.
“Sometimes you got to remind him he was No. 1 pick and that wasn’t no fluke,” Johnson said. “But you know, with Zacch, he’s somebody that’s always working.… So, if he just keeps doing that and sticking to his routine, he’s gonna start hitting shots again, and we’re all around him and support him and understand that he’s gonna get out of this slump.”
Those shooting swings have defined much of his first month. After connecting on 41.4% from three at the FIBA World Cup this summer, Risacher’s long-range production has dipped as he adjusts to NBA speed and spacing. Young’s 19-game absence with an MCL sprain has also shifted defensive attention his way.
Injuries added an early hurdle. Risacher sprained his ankle in the opener and missed two games. He later found rhythm, averaging 14.3 points and 35.4% from three across a nine-game stretch, before a hard fall on a transition dunk temporarily slowed him again.
Risacher said returning quickly mattered both physically and mentally.
“I feel like I was a little bit shocked after the fall and my own, like my body was super tight and like couple of injuries, especially on my left leg,” he said. “But I fought through it in a way to help my team as, like, as quick as possible. So, I was really happy to be able to get back as fast as I did. And like I take a lot of pride in taking care of my body and making sure I’m doing the right thing off the court so I can be the best version of myself on the court.”
Even after returning, shooting consistency has fluctuated — a natural part of a young player’s transition, teammates insist.
While the perimeter efficiency has ebbed, Risacher has remained committed to one element of the Hawks’ identity: running. Atlanta has built much of its offense around pace and early opportunities, and he has maintained that priority regardless of touches or shot totals.
He said the value of that work doesn’t always show up in the box score.
“I want to say it’s like, every time,” he said. “Because people are gonna see the efforts when you’re running the floor and you get the ball and then you get to score, but they’re not gonna see the 10 times you run the floor, and you didn’t get the ball. So I feel like that’s just it. That’s just a habit, and that’s a part of our philosophy.”
As the Hawks inch toward full health, they believe the combination of repetition, patience, and structure will eventually bring Risacher’s shooting back to where it was this summer. For now, his season remains defined by work, resilience, and a steady confidence that the numbers — and the rhythm — will eventually catch up.