Rookie Zaccharie Risacher turned in a big third quarter and finished with another 20-point performance on Sunday to help the Atlanta Hawks to their third consecutive win.
Risacher produced 22 points, two rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot in a 132-119 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at State Farm Arena. He went 9-of-15 from the field, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range, in 27 minutes for his sixth game of the season with at least 20 points.
The No. 1 pick scored 16 points alone in the third quarter to help the Hawks extend their lead to 105-82 entering the final frame. He has scored at least 16 points in a single quarter three times this season, the most by any first-year player.
“I feel like I’ve been working all year,” Risacher said. “I just keep the consistency every day and trust the work that I’ve put in. I’m glad to have this opportunity to showcase what I can do and help my team win games. That is the most important thing to me.”
Risacher is averaging 12.1 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists on 35.3% shooting from 3-point range in 64 games. He is second among all rookies in total scoring (773) and is one of four first-year players with multiple 30-point games (Stephon Castle, Dalton Knecht and Jared McCain).
The Frenchman is amid one of his best offensive stretches of the season, finishing in double figures in five straight games. He is averaging 17.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and one assist on 40.6% shooting from 3-point range over that span.
Risacher has been a key contributor with the Hawks and is amidst a strong rookie campaign. He looks to have made steady progress throughout the year and is on track to finish on a high note.
