Zaccharie Risacher, like every other member of this rookie class, got off to a slow start. The No. 1 pick was the owner, telling The Athletic’s John Hollinger: “Back in France I was super athletic, and now I’m just a regular guy.”
He looked more than just an ordinary guy against the Knicks on Wednesday, dropping 33 points on them on 11-of-18 shooting.
The last rookie to post 33+ points, 7+ rebounds, 3+ assists, 2+ blocks and 3+ steals in a game was Chris Webber in 1994. This was by far the best game of young Risacher’s career (most that he had once played). was previously 17 against the Wizards in a game where he shot 7 of 15.
Chief among these was the 11-for-18 shooting — it’s the first game this season he shot better than 50% from the floor. He’s starting to find his feet, which isn’t always easy next to the ball-dominant Trae Young. It will be a process with Risacher, but this is a good step.
Additionally, the Hawks pulled off the 121-116 win, and afterward, Young had a few words for the Knicks fans in the building (of which there were more than a few).
