Hawks Rookie Risacher Shines Despite Loss in Rising Stars Semifinal

San Francisco, CA — Atlanta Hawks rookie Zaccharie Risacher showcased his skills during the Rising Stars Challenge semifinals on Friday night at the Chase Center, but his team, Team T, fell short against Team C in a tightly contested match.

With Team T trailing 33-24, Risacher cut to the basket, receiving a bounce pass from Toronto Raptors wing Gradey Dick before finishing with a spectacular dunk. This brought Team T closer, narrowing the gap to just seven points.

Risacher demonstrated impressive defensive skills as well, forcing Spurs guard Stephon Castle to pass the ball away during a crucial possession, which resulted in a missed three-pointer from Memphis center Zach Edey. A few plays later, Risacher drove to the rim, banking in a layup that kept Team T within striking distance at 38-34.

Throughout the game, Risacher finished with four points on 2-of-4 shooting and secured two rebounds while his teammate Trae Young watched from the stands.

The Rising Stars Challenge features a unique format where teams compete to reach a target score of 40 points in semifinal games. The winners then face off for a chance to proceed to the All-Star Game on Sunday, playing to a score of 25 in the finals.

Despite a strong effort from Risacher, Team T’s hopes of advancing came to a halt after Castle hit a pull-up jumper to secure victory for Team C. “We had our chances, but things just didn’t go our way,” Risacher said postgame. “I’m just excited for the next opportunity.”

Looking ahead, Risacher’s weekend in San Francisco is far from over. He will team up with Alex Sarr to compete in the Skills Challenge scheduled for Saturday night. “It’s a different format, but I think we’ll make a good pair,” Risacher noted.

Meanwhile, the Rising Stars Challenge itself was kicked off by four teams consisting of first- and second-year players, as well as one G League squad. The tournament structure was revamped this year, giving the winners a direct ticket to participate in Sunday’s All-Star Game.

In the other semifinal, Team M, anchored by the Thompson twins (Amen and Ausar), fell to Team G League, which was led by standout performances from Leonard Miller and Bryce McGowens. Team G League advanced with a score of 40-39, setting the stage for an exciting championship matchup against Team C.

As the 2025 All-Star weekend heats up, all eyes will turn to the Skills Challenge and the main event. Fans will be eager to see if Risacher can channel his Rising Stars experience into positive results moving forward.