Hawks Lean on Risacher’s Growth as Young Recovers

The Atlanta Hawks have managed to steady themselves in the Eastern Conference despite missing their offensive centerpiece. Trae Young’s absence with an MCL injury has forced Atlanta to spread responsibility across the roster, testing its depth and resilience during a demanding stretch of the season.

Several players have answered that call in different ways, and among them is Zaccharie Risacher. The former No. 1 overall pick has seen his role expand, even as his production has lagged behind expectations through the first quarter of the year.

Through 23 games, Risacher is averaging 11.0 points per contest while shooting 29% from beyond the arc, numbers that represent a dip from his rookie season. The struggles have been visible, particularly with Young unavailable to help generate clean looks.

Still, inside the Hawks’ locker room, confidence in Risacher has not wavered. Teammates and coaches view the current stretch not as a setback, but as part of a longer development curve for a young player learning how to navigate pressure, responsibility, and physical adversity.

1. Numbers Down, Responsibility Up

Risacher’s statistical decline has coincided with an increase in expectations. Without Young orchestrating the offense, opposing defenses have been able to load up on Atlanta’s wings, shrinking the margin for error on jump shots and off-ball movement. For a player still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA, those challenges have been magnified. Risacher has often been asked to create offense late in possessions or take contested looks he might not have faced earlier in his career. The result has been inconsistency, particularly from long range. His 29% shooting from three reflects both rushed attempts and tighter coverage, a byproduct of playing without one of the league’s most dynamic playmakers. Despite the numbers, the Hawks have remained encouraged by his engagement. Risacher has continued to defend, rebound, and move without the ball, contributing in ways that do not always show up in the box score.

2. A Locker Room That Believes

Jalen Johnson has been one of Risacher’s most vocal supporters. The Hawks forward has emphasized confidence as much as mechanics, reminding his teammate of the talent that brought him to Atlanta in the first place. “Sometimes you got to remind him he was the No. 1 pick and that wasn’t no fluke,” Johnson said, underscoring the belief that Risacher’s struggles are temporary rather than defining. Johnson also pointed to Risacher’s work ethic as a reason for optimism. According to teammates, he is routinely among the last players on the floor after practice, getting up extra shots and maintaining a consistent routine. That dedication has resonated within the group. The Hawks understand that young players rarely develop in straight lines, and Risacher’s commitment has reinforced the idea that his breakthrough may be closer than the numbers suggest.

3. Learning From Last Year — and Looking Ahead

Risacher’s current situation mirrors parts of his rookie season, when he also began slowly before finding his rhythm after the All-Star break. That experience now serves as a reference point rather than a concern. With a full NBA season behind him, Risacher has a better understanding of how to adjust when shots aren’t falling. The expectation within the organization is that those lessons will shorten the length of this year’s slump. Help may also arrive in the form of Young’s return. The All-Star guard’s ability to draw defensive attention and deliver the ball on time has already proven valuable for Risacher, particularly on spot-up opportunities. Once Young is back on the floor, Atlanta believes Risacher will benefit from cleaner looks and a more defined offensive role, allowing his shooting percentages — and confidence — to rise.