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The Atlanta Hawks have navigated a rocky stretch without Trae Young, and one of their young wings is searching for answers. Zacharie Risacher’s production has dipped this season, but teammates and staff are working to restore his confidence while he fights through injuries and a shooting slump.
Zacharie Risacher’s numbers and the dip in form
Through 23 games, Risacher’s scoring sits near 11.0 points per game. His three-point mark has fallen to roughly 29%, well below his rookie-year pace. Those declines have shown up on the stat sheet and in game flow.
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Several factors explain the drop:
- Opponents scouting him more aggressively.
- Limited continuity while Trae Young is sidelined with an MCL issue.
- Lingering physical knocks that have disrupted his rhythm.
His second season looks different because defenses treat him with more focus and he’s adjusting to new responsibilities.
How teammates are trying to lift his confidence
Inside the locker room, fellow players have spoken up to remind Risacher of his ceiling. Jalen Johnson has become one of the voices encouraging him to stay patient and stick to his routines.
Johnson pointed out that Risacher remains the first to arrive for extra reps and the last to leave the gym. The message is simple: persist with the work that produced success last year, and the results should follow.
Team support and on-court chemistry
- Encouragement: Teammates publicly back him to maintain confidence.
- Practice habits: Extra shooting sessions and film study continue daily.
- Lineup fits: Coaching tweaks aim to create better looks for him.
Why Trae Young’s return matters for Risacher
Trae Young’s playmaking changes the spacing on offense. When Young is on the floor, defenses collapse and open perimeter shots become more available.
For a young wing like Risacher, that tends to mean cleaner catch-and-shoot opportunities and easier drives. The Hawks hope Young’s return will accelerate Risacher’s path back to efficiency.
Injuries, recovery and how Risacher has handled setbacks
Risacher has dealt with several minor injuries, including a hard fall during a West Coast trip that left him sore. He missed only one game after the incident, showing a quick recovery.
He described feeling tight, especially in his left leg, and emphasized the effort he puts into recovery work off the court. That attention to conditioning has helped him return sooner than expected.
Concrete steps that could snap the slump
- Maintain the current shooting routine and extra practice reps.
- Lean on veteran teammates for spacing and in-game reads.
- Keep prioritizing physical recovery and targeted treatment for soreness.
- Allow minutes and roles to stabilize once Young is back.
Consistency and patience are the two themes Hawks staff and players stress. With experience from last season and a committed support system, Risacher has multiple levers to pull to regain form.
