It’s been a bumpy ride for the Atlanta Hawks this season, and the timing of the All-Star break couldn’t have been better. After dropping three straight heading into the midseason pause, this team needed a reset-mentally, physically, and emotionally. The losses were starting to pile up, and without this breather, things could’ve gotten worse before they got better.
But even with the Hawks off the court, fans still had their eyes on All-Star Weekend. Atlanta had a presence on each night of the festivities, and while the team’s recent on-court results haven’t inspired much confidence, there was still a sense of anticipation around seeing some of their young talent on a national stage.
That spotlight first turned to Zaccharie Risacher on Friday night. The second-year forward-and former No. 1 overall pick-was back in the Rising Stars Tournament for the second year in a row. But this time around, the circumstances were very different.
Risacher wasn’t part of the original Rising Stars roster. He got the nod only after Oklahoma City’s Ajay Mitchell went down with an injury.
That’s not an indictment of his talent, but it’s a clear sign that the league’s decision-makers aren’t seeing the kind of leap they expected from a top pick in Year 2. And that’s been the story of Risacher’s season so far-a mix of flashes and frustration.
Coming off the bench for Team T-Mac, Risacher had a short window to make an impression. Unfortunately, it didn’t go well.
In just four minutes of action, he went 0-for-5 from the field. He got some decent looks, but nothing dropped.
It wasn’t a lack of effort-he was active and involved-but the results just weren’t there.
To make matters worse, Team T-Mac jumped out to an early lead but ended up losing by five. A couple of made shots from Risacher could’ve changed the outcome and sent his squad to the final round. Instead, it was a rough night that added another layer to what’s becoming a concerning sophomore campaign.
Now, let’s be clear: a tough outing in an exhibition game isn’t the end of the world. These games are more about showcasing talent than anything else.
But when you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, this performance fits into a larger pattern. Risacher hasn’t delivered the kind of impact you’d hope for from a No. 1 overall pick-at least, not consistently.
And that’s the thing with Risacher. His skill set is unique-he’s long, fluid, and has the tools to be a two-way force-but he doesn’t fit the mold of a traditional franchise cornerstone.
When he’s locked in, he can take over stretches of a game. But when he’s off, it can get rough in a hurry.
Friday night was one of those rough ones.
The good news? There’s still time.
The All-Star break offers a clean slate, and Risacher has a chance to reset and refocus for the stretch run. But the clock is ticking.
Fans are watching. So is the rest of the league.
And if he doesn’t come out of the break showing signs of growth, the pressure won’t just be on him-it’ll be on the Hawks’ front office to start asking some tough questions about the future.