Zaccharie Risacher's career-high night signals bright future for Hawks' rising star

Despite averaging just 24.8 minutes per game this season and often being left out of late-game situations, Risacher now has four 30-point outings under his belt and has shown flashes of elite upside during the final stretch of the regular season.

The win moved Atlanta to 38–42 on the year, keeping it firmly in the Eastern Conference play-in mix. With just two games separating the Hawks from the Orlando Magic and only a narrow lead over Chicago and Miami, every game matters — and Risacher’s continued rise could be a crucial X-factor in Atlanta’s playoff push.

On the season, the 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 12.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game while shooting 45.8% from the field and 35.5% from three. 

Since the All-Star break, those numbers have climbed: over his last 25 games, Risacher is averaging 15 points while hitting 41% of his 5.6 three-point attempts per contest. It's a clear sign of his growing confidence and offensive rhythm.

What stood out most on Thursday was his decisiveness. Whether stepping into transition threes, attacking closeouts or disrupting passing lanes on defense, Risacher played with the poise of a veteran. His ability to control the pace of the game and make plays at critical moments was a telling sign of his maturity and basketball IQ.

At just 20, he’s already showing the skill set and mentality of a future franchise cornerstone. If this performance is any indication, the future in Atlanta may be arriving ahead of schedule.