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Zaccharie Risacher soars in breakout performance
Nov 6, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots against the New York Knicks during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images|Dale Zanine/Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Hawks secured their most impressive victory of the season, defeating the New York Knicks 121-116 at home on Wednesday. This win was fueled by a career-high performance from No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, who scored 33 points, the most by any NBA rookie this year. Risacher’s outstanding play was complemented by significant contributions from Trae Young, Clint Capela, and Jalen Johnson, alongside a robust defensive effort.
Zaccharie Risacher’s Breakout Game
Zaccharie Risacher was the biggest story of the night, showcasing his potential on both ends of the floor. He not only led the team in scoring but also contributed defensively with three steals and two blocks. Risacher’s ability to perform under pressure was evident as he made crucial plays in the final minutes, helping the Hawks overcome a five-point deficit with just three minutes remaining. His performance was a testament to his growth and the coaching staff’s encouragement for him to stay aggressive.
Defensive Resilience and Offensive Strategy
The Hawks’ defense played a pivotal role in their victory, despite the Knicks’ impressive three-point shooting. Atlanta managed to hold the Knicks to just 51% shooting from two-point range and forced 16 turnovers. The team’s defensive strategy was evident in their ability to limit New York’s attempts at the rim and maintain a strong presence on the glass, achieving a 77% defensive rebound rate.
Offensively, the Hawks excelled with a 122 offensive rating, driven by their dominance in the possession battle. They secured 16 offensive rebounds, leading to 27 second-chance points, and committed only eight turnovers throughout the game. This efficiency was crucial, especially considering the starting backcourt of Young and Dyson Daniels struggled with shooting accuracy.
The Hawks’ ability to execute on both ends of the floor, particularly in the final minutes, was key to their success. They outperformed the Knicks by a wide margin in the possession battle, which ultimately secured their victory.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Hawks’ strategies and performances, tune into the Locked On Hawks podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Hawks Podcast:
- Detailed player evaluations and performance breakdowns
We’re about 10% of the way through the season, which means we’ve seen enough of the rookie class to make iron-clad judgments on them that will never change. First impression, last impression.
Kidding, of course; sample sizes are still small, and both we and the debutants themselves are learning a ton. Watching this class take their first baby-giraffe steps in the league has been a blast, so I’ve selected four rookies worth discussing.
1) Zach Edey, Memphis Grizzlies
Edey’s performance has been predictably up-and-down. On the one hand, he’s started to figure out how to defend without fouling. After infamously fouling out in just 15 minutes in his NBA debut, Edey hasn’t accrued more than three infractions in any of his last six games (although he did pick up three in just 15 minutes last night). Opponents are shooting just 55.6% against him at the rim, a better number than Anthony Davis or Rudy Gobert, and they take fewer attempts at the rim when he’s on the court. There’s a slight deterrence factor already at play.
Edey had a game where he went 11-for-12 from the field, but most of his damage has been done on putbacks and dump-offs. He has only generated 13 points on his 21 post-up possessions, a terrible mark, and his beloved hook shot has abandoned him.
Most peculiarly, a man I predicted might lead the league in screen assists has not been nearly as impactful a screener as I expected. Part of that is the Grizzlies leaning a bit away from the pick-and-roll-centric attack they’ve heavily featured in the past, and part is on some junior-high-school-level chemistry with Ja Morant (see here, where Edey whiffs on the screen and then can’t get to the lob quick enough). That said, he’s already mastered the rolling Gortat screen, a key tool for creating space for Morant. Now, he just needs more reps.
Mike Shearer (@bballispoetry) has written about the NBA full-time since 2021 at various and sundry places. For more from Mike, check out his Substack bestseller, Basketball Poetry, where he uses unnecessary metaphors and the occasional haiku to discuss the NBA’s happenings with an analytical lens.
Home and Away
Analysis Zaccharie Risacher’s NBA potential is dissected by experts, emphasizing his strategic fit with the Atlanta Hawks against the Knicks.
Personnel The Atlanta Journal-Constitution explores the Hawks’ evolving roster, highlighting key players’ contributions and future strategies.
Personnel Owen Phillips of The F5 examines whether a coach can translate their styles between different teams. For example, what trends and principles has Kenny Atkinson instilled in the Cavaliers that we first saw in his Nets tenure?
Analysis ESPN’s Kevin Pelton looks at some early trends, such as the impact Jeremy Sochan’s injury might have on Victor Wembanyama’s offense, the Thunder defense, and more.
Must Read Joseph Casciaro and Joe Wolfond of theScore have 10 observations on the young season, including a look at the Bulls’ blistering pace, KAT’s defensive issues, and much more.
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Zaccharie Risacher’s Big Night Brings Fantasy Basketball Questions
Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) shoots over New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) during the second half at State Farm Arena.|Photo by Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
In the world of fantasy basketball, player performances can fluctuate wildly, and Wednesday’s games were no exception. While Zach Edey had previously dazzled fans with a standout performance against the Nets, his recent outing was less than stellar. Facing tougher competition, Edey managed just eight points and seven rebounds in 15 minutes. This game served as a reminder that while Edey has potential, consistency is key, and fantasy managers should be cautious about overcommitting to him based on a single strong performance.
On the flip side, Zaccharie Risacher delivered a performance that turned heads and could have significant fantasy implications. Starting for the Atlanta Hawks, Risacher exploded for 33 points, seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks. His shooting was on point, and he contributed across multiple categories, making him a hot commodity in fantasy leagues. With De’Andre Hunter still sidelined, Risacher’s role in the starting lineup seems secure for now, and his ability to fill the stat sheet makes him a valuable asset.
Risacher’s breakout game highlights the importance of monitoring player roles and opportunities. While his previous performances were inconsistent, this game showcased his potential when given the chance. Fantasy managers should consider adding Risacher, especially if he continues to see significant minutes and usage.
As always, staying updated on player performances and team dynamics is crucial for fantasy success. Keep an eye on how these players develop in the coming games, and adjust your fantasy strategies accordingly. For more insights and analysis, be sure to follow the latest episodes of the Locked On Fantasy Basketball podcast.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Hawks podcasts.
Zaccharie Risacher’s big night headlines Hawks win over Knicks The show breaks a very strong victory for the Atlanta Hawks over the New York Knicks, including Zaccharie Risacher’s big night, Jalen Johnson’s stellar play, Atlanta’s potent defense, Dyson Daniels’ work against Jalen Brunson, the possession battle, and much more.
Hawks mailbag, injury updates, and Knicks preview Topics include the performance of the Atlanta Hawks through the first ten percent of the 2024-25 season, Jalen Johnson’s start, David Roddy’s team option being declined, injury updates on Trae Young and De’Andre Hunter, and Wednesday’s matchup against the New York Knicks.
Hawks run into Celtics buzzsaw in blowout loss The show touches on Monday’s game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Boston Celtics. Topics include the injury to Trae Young, Atlanta’s strong start, offensive issues, three-point shooting disparity, and much more.
