What’s Going on with Zaccharie Risacher? Hawks’ Top Pick Sitting Late in Close Games
The Atlanta Hawks are in the thick of a tightly contested Eastern Conference race, and every possession, every minute, and every decision matters. But in back-to-back games with crunch-time implications, one decision has raised eyebrows across the league: Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has been watching the closing moments from the bench.
Let’s set the scene. In a recent matchup against the Charlotte Hornets, the Hawks clawed their way back into the game late in the fourth quarter.
Down by double digits earlier, they made it a one-point game with under three minutes to go. The momentum was shifting, the crowd was into it - but Risacher wasn’t on the floor.
Atlanta ultimately fell short, 133-126.
A similar story unfolded in the 152-150 loss to the Chicago Bulls. Another tight finish.
Another game where Risacher sat out the final minutes. And this wasn’t just a one-off decision.
It’s now a pattern.
Who’s Closing Instead?
Instead of the French rookie, head coach Quin Snyder has leaned on Dyson Daniels, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Vit Krejci to fill the wing roles when it matters most. Against Chicago, Risacher logged 20 minutes and scored just 5 points - a quiet outing.
But what’s puzzling is that this followed a strong showing in his previous game, where he put up 17 points on just 11 shots and played solid two-way basketball. Even then, he was left out of the closing lineup.
So what gives?
A Rookie Learning Curve - Or Something More?
Risacher’s raw talent is undeniable. At 6’9” with a smooth shooting stroke and defensive upside, he’s the kind of player you draft first overall for a reason. But like many rookies making the leap from Europe to the NBA, he’s still adjusting to the speed, physicality, and decision-making required in the final minutes of close games.
Late-game execution is a different beast. Coaches want players who won’t make mistakes, who understand the nuances of switching on defense, managing the clock, and making the right read under pressure. Right now, Snyder appears to trust veterans like Krejci and NAW to handle those responsibilities.
And you can’t really fault him for that. Atlanta is fighting for positioning in the top eight of the East, and in a season where the margin for error is razor-thin, coaches are going to lean on reliability over upside.
Is This Just About Trust?
It might be. Snyder’s rotations suggest he’s prioritizing defensive awareness and mistake-free basketball in crunch time - two areas where Risacher is still developing. Krejci and Alexander-Walker have both stepped up defensively, and that may be tipping the scales in their favor when it comes to closing out games.
But the longer this trend continues, the more it raises questions about Risacher’s role in Atlanta’s immediate plans.
The Bigger Picture
This isn’t about a few missed minutes. It’s about development versus winning now.
The Hawks used the No. 1 pick on Risacher with the belief that he could be a cornerstone for the future. But if he’s not playing in the moments that matter most, it’s fair to wonder how the organization sees his trajectory - at least in the short term.
And with the trade deadline looming on February 5, there’s even more intrigue. Atlanta has been swirling in trade rumors, and Risacher’s name has reportedly come up in conversations, particularly in connection with a potential deal involving a high-profile big man.
For now, nothing is set in stone. But the minutes - or lack thereof - are worth watching closely.
Final Take
Zaccharie Risacher is still an incredibly promising talent. His ceiling hasn’t changed.
But the Hawks are in a position where every game counts, and that means tough decisions for Quin Snyder. Choosing trust over potential in the closing minutes may be a short-term strategy - but if it continues deep into the season, it could signal something more.
For Hawks fans, the hope is that this is just part of the rookie growing pains. But with the trade deadline approaching and Atlanta trying to stay in the playoff mix, Risacher’s role - and future - is something to keep a close eye on.