The Atlanta Hawks are in action today for their traditional game on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. The Hawks will face the New York Knicks in a battle of two tough and exciting Eastern Conference teams.
However, the most significant news for the Hawks may be related to a player who will not suit up in this contest: Zaccharie Risacher, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2024 NBA Draft.
He will miss his third straight game on Monday, as planned. But there is news.
“Some additional context in Risacher’s injury per league source,” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported on X on January 19. “His designation was changed from “irritation” to strain. Not a setback, the team just being more specific than the original description. No change to his timeline. There will be an update Wednesday.”
An @emoryhealthcare injury report for tomorrow’s game at New York:
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) January 19, 2025
Jalen Johnson (right shoulder inflammation): Probable
Trae Young (right Achilles tendinitis): Probable
Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder surgery): Out
Larry Nance Jr. (right hand surgery): Out
Zaccharie Risacher (left… pic.twitter.com/ACdCCRcfz8
While Risacher’s injury designation has changed, his timeline has not.
“Zaccharie Risacher, who missed Wednesday’s game at Chicago due to left adductor irritation, will miss at least the next two games (at Boston and at New York),” the Hawks announced on X on January 17. His status will be updated in advance of Wednesday’s game vs. Detroit.”
Risacher is averaging 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists this season. He has not shot the ball well, sporting a 46.5% effective field goal percentage and a 28.1% clip from deep.
He has played smart basketball, typically among the biggest challenges for rookies.
Zaccharie Risacher’s absence among Hawks X factors vs Knicks
The Knicks come into today’s contest losers in two of their last three outings. Their lone win came in overtime against the struggling Philadelphia 76ers, and they lost their last meeting against the Hawks 108-100.
That too was at home in Madison Square Garden, so the Hawks are likely in store for a spirited effort from the Knicks.
The Hawks have done well against winning teams at three games above .500 against them.
However, Hawks and Knicks matchups have become a budding rivalry following their clash in the 2021 postseason. There is always more juice for their games than a typical regular-season meeting.
Trade deadline chatter
The Hawks are in an interesting spot with the 2025 NBA trade deadline – on February 6 – fast approaching.
They do not need to make a move.
Their current roster, helmed by Trae Young, is young enough to ride out this season and evaluate any next steps they might want to take during the offseason. They have been competitive enough to consider making roster upgrades.
However, there have also been signs that this group is not yet ready to contend at the highest level in a playoff series setting.
Trae Young’s role in the Hawks’ decision-making cannot be overstated.
He remains all-in on the franchise, but he also wants to win. If general manager Landry Fields and the rest of Hawks front office feel they not close enough yet, Young’s contract situation looms even larger.
What the Hawks need, is for this team to define itself over the next few weeks, making their decision at the deadline – to do something or not – that much simpler.