Hawks Reshuffle Starting Lineup, Move Risacher to Bench as McCollum Takes Lead Role

The Atlanta Hawks made a subtle but telling adjustment before facing the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, tweaking their starting five in search of consistency. Veteran guard CJ McCollum moved into the opening lineup, while second-year wing Zaccharie Risacher shifted to a bench role.

On the surface, the decision looked like a demotion for a young player still finding his footing. But inside the locker room, coaches framed it differently — not as punishment, but as strategy. The goal was simple: get Atlanta’s most reliable lineup on the floor earlier and more often.

Head coach Quin Snyder cited numbers that made the choice difficult to ignore. When McCollum shares the floor with the regular closers, the Hawks’ net rating spikes significantly, a sign that the group’s balance and shot creation translate into winning stretches.

For a team pushing to climb the standings in the season’s second half, pragmatism has replaced sentiment. The emphasis is on combinations that work — regardless of who hears their name called first.

1. Numbers Drive the Decision

Snyder pointed to lineup data that highlighted the impact of McCollum’s presence. The closing group featuring the veteran guard has outperformed every other combination by a wide margin, posting a net rating roughly 10 points better than alternatives. That efficiency gap forced a reconsideration of roles. Previously, McCollum provided a scoring jolt off the bench, a traditional sixth-man function that added punch to the second unit. But it also limited how often the Hawks could deploy their strongest five-man mix. By moving him into the starting group, Atlanta ensures those productive minutes happen earlier and more frequently. The shift also helps stabilize possessions at the beginning of games, an area where the team has occasionally stumbled with slow starts. Snyder described McCollum’s presence as calming. His ball handling and shot-making help organize the offense, reducing rushed decisions and allowing the Hawks to settle into rhythm from the opening tip.

2. A Different Path for Risacher

For Risacher, the change presents both challenge and opportunity. After averaging 12.6 points per game last season, the young forward has seen that number dip this year as he searches for consistency on both ends of the floor. There have been flashes — timely cuts, active defense, confident shooting — but also stretches where he disappears from the action. Snyder believes a shift in rotation timing could help reset that rhythm. Coming off the bench allows Risacher to face different matchups and enter the game with fresh energy. Instead of immediately battling starters, he can ease into the flow and focus on impact plays rather than forcing production. In the win over Brooklyn, that approach showed promise. Risacher scored seven points and looked more relaxed, attacking with decisiveness during his first stint. The coaching staff saw it as confirmation that the new role could unlock a steadier version of his game.

3. Roles Over Labels

Teammates echoed the sentiment that starting status matters less than execution. Dyson Daniels emphasized that everyone’s job remains the same: bring energy and fulfill their role when called upon. That mindset reflects the Hawks’ broader depth. Alongside McCollum and Daniels, a group featuring Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson, and Onyeka Okongwu has posted a strong positive point differential, reinforcing Snyder’s confidence in mixing combinations. The common thread is versatility. Multiple ball handlers ease pressure on the offense, while athletic forwards switch defensively and keep the pace high. It’s a structure designed to survive the ups and downs of an 82-game season. As the Hawks look to make a late push, adjustments like this are less about optics and more about results. If shifting one player to the bench improves the whole, the coaching staff is willing to make the call.