Zaccharie Risacher’s move out of Hawks starting lineup was inevitable

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 21: Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on December 21, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 21: Zaccharie Risacher #10 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls during the first quarter at State Farm Arena on December 21, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia Photo credit Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

In the Atlanta Hawks’ Sunday afternoon win over the Brooklyn Nets, there was a noticeable shift in the starting five: a healthy Zaccharie Risacher moved to the bench in favor of CJ McCollum. The decision wasn’t solely an indictment of Risacher’s development this season — Atlanta clearly needed another reliable ball-handler with the first unit — but it was still significant. When a former No. 1 overall pick reaches a point where his role must be reevaluated midway through the season, it underscores why this lineup change felt less surprising and more inevitable.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images