NBA: Small steps for Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher with Hornets up next

Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) reacts with guard Trae Young (11) after making a three point basket for his first points in the NBA against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

No. 1 overall pick Zaccharie Risacher will attempt to get more involved offensively when the Atlanta Hawks collide with the visiting Charlotte Hornets in the NBA on Friday night.

Risacher made his NBA debut on Wednesday, coming off the bench to supply seven points on 2-of-8 shooting in Atlanta’s 120-116 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. He also grabbed a rebound in his 19 minutes of action.

“I wasn’t as efficient as I’m used to being, so that was a little bit disappointing to me,” Risacher said. “But it’s part of the game.”

READ: Top pick Zaccharie Risacher hits 1st NBA shot, vows to get better

Even though the 19-year-old didn’t stuff the stat sheet, Hawks coach Quin Snyder thought the performance against Brooklyn was a good first step for Risacher.

“I thought he did a really good job,” Snyder said. “The point of emphasis is you’re not going to make shots every night. How do you impact the game other ways, whether it’s a pass or a cut defensively?”

Trae Young led Atlanta with 30 points and 12 assists against the Nets, but it was reserve Onyeka Okongwu who put the Hawks over the top. Okongwu racked up a career-high 28 points and made 11 of 12 shots from the field.

“I was blessed to spend my summer getting right (physically), but I felt really good out there and I’m just happy we got the win,” Okongwu said.

READ: Zaccharie Risacher chosen by Hawks with top pick in NBA Draft

Charlotte guard LaMelo Ball also tried to get right this offseason after an ankle injury cut his 2023-24 campaign short. Despite not playing in a regular-season game since Jan. 26, Ball flirted with a triple-double on Wednesday, finishing with 34 points, eight boards and 11 assists in a 110-105 win over the Houston Rockets.

“He’s like the engine for us,” Hornets first-year coach Charles Lee said of Ball. “If we have a healthy LaMelo Ball, we’re going to do a lot of really good things because I know that he’s going to continue to grow and he helps everyone around him continue to be better, too.”

With Ball back in the lineup, Lee is looking forward to seeing just how far Charlotte can go this season. The Hornets limped to a 21-61 finish in 2023-24, ending up in 13th in the 15-team Eastern Conference.

Atlanta Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (10) waits to attempt his free throws during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)

“I told (Ball) what I think is going to help us impact winning and I think that you saw (Wednesday) him implementing that with some of his defensive efforts, some of the multiple efforts that he made and then offensively playing with the pass and driving,” Lee said. “So, I’m all around excited for him.”

The injury bug has already found a way to strike Charlotte once again, though, as left hip soreness forced second-year guard Brandon Miller to exit the meeting with Houston after playing just 11 minutes.

Miller, the second overall pick in the 2023 draft, is listed as day-to-day, and his game status for Friday is not yet officially known.

Atlanta was one of the few teams the Hornets consistently had success against last season, with Charlotte beating the Hawks three times in four games. –Field Level Media