Is Zaccharie Risacher playing tonight against LA Lakers? Latest on Hawks forward's status for Summer League game (July 17)
Zaccharie Risacher and the Atlanta Hawks are scheduled to play the LA Lakers on Wednesday in Summer League action in Las Vegas. The game will start at 9:30 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. It will also be broadcast locally on Bally Sports SE-ATL. Fans can also watch the game on NBA League Pass.
While being the No. 1 selection in a draft only adds to the pressure that a rookie feels in the Summer League, Risacher has done comparatively well. Despite the Hawks losing both of their games, the young forward has played his part well. He should suit up, in all likelihood, for Wednesday’s game.
Risacher and Atlanta have a great chance to get their first win against an equally struggling LA Lakers team that has gone 0-2 so far. The first overall selection of the 2024 NBA draft will also get a chance to go up against the Lakers’ 55th pick, Bronny James. Risacher might have a bone to pick with Bronny, as the Lakers guard has arguably gotten more attention than the No. 1 pick in this year's draft.
The Hawks first played the Washington Wizards on Friday and lost 94-88. After that, they faced the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday and lost 79-76. It’s evident from both score lines that they were close games and could have gone either way.
How has Atlanta Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher fared in the Summer League so far?
Despite not winning a game, Zaccharie Risacher has performed relatively well. In two games, he averages 14.5 points, which is tied for the highest among the 368 players to see action in Las Vegas. He also averages 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
One area that Risacher needs to improve is his shooting efficiency. He has shot only 39.3%, including 25.0% from the 3-point range and 42.9% from beyond the arc.
If he is to form a dynamic duo with Trae Young and make the Atlanta Hawks contenders in the East, he needs to improve his shooting numbers. Playing with Young comes with a lot of open looks, and if Zaccharie Risacher can’t cash in on those open spots, Atlanta could be looking at yet another frustrating year.