ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks removed 2024 No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher from the starting lineup for just the third time in his 120-game NBA career, inserting 13-year guard CJ McCollum in Sunday’s 115-104 win against the Brooklyn Nets.
McCollum joined Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels to open the game and helped Atlanta erase an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit with a 24-2 run over the final seven minutes. The veteran finished with 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists and one steal in 32 minutes. Risacher logged seven points and one rebound in 20 minutes off the bench.
“That group of guys that finished the game, by far, their net rating is like 10 points above any other combination,” head coach Quin Snyder said. “It’s our best lineup.”
Snyder added that the decision does not diminish his confidence in the French forward. “Zacch’s about all the right stuff, and so his development is something that’s going to continue whether he’s starting or coming off the bench,” the coach said.
Risacher echoed the team-first approach ahead of Tuesday’s 7:30 p.m. ET home game against the Washington Wizards. “I’m ready to do whatever it takes to impact the game as much as I can,” he said. “No matter if I start or not, I’m still going to give 100 percent on the court.”
Atlanta has undergone significant roster turnover in the past two months, acquiring McCollum and Corey Kispert from Washington and trading for Jonathan Kuminga from Golden State. Kuminga has yet to debut because of injury but is expected to enter the rotation when healthy.
Snyder noted that Risacher’s minutes remain in line with other members of the 2024 draft class but acknowledged the increased competition for playing time. “There’s a balance — your belief in guys and giving them confidence, and then also, we’re about winning,” he said. “You have to make some decisions along that line, but nothing is set in stone.”
Source: ESPN
