Is Zaccharie Risacher playing tonight? A look at Hawks' No. 1 draft pick's availability in Summer League clash vs Bulls

2024 top pick Zaccharie Risacher is unlikely to play tonight against the Chicago Bulls in the NBA Summer League, after being sidelined in their last game versus the Los Angeles Lakers with a quad contusion. He played in the team's first two games of the summer league.

The 19-year-old saw action against the Spurs on July 14. He started the game and received the most playing time with 30 minutes, but shot just 4-12 from the field and 1-7 from threes in an 11-point performance. The Hawks lost 79-76 and fell to 0-3 in the summer.

Risacher looked much more comfortable against the Washington Wizards in his first taste of NBA action. Playing against fellow Frenchman and former G-League player Alex Sarr, he put up a team-high 18 points on 7-16 shooting. He shot 3-9 from behind the arc and added five rebounds and two assists.

After spending the last game off the floor with an injury, the Hawks will likely keep him stashed until the regular season begins. The team previously stated they wanted him to appear in all of their summer league games, but with his injury, Atlanta is expected to play it safe.

Risacher played in the French NLB in the 2023-24 season with the JL Bourg squad. He was named the best young player of the season, averaging 10.1 points in just 22 minutes per game.

He's the second French player to go No. 1 overall, after Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, who was the first name called in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Will Risacher start for the Atlanta Hawks in his rookie season?

The NBA Summer League has been a big test for Risacher, who has a lot to prove after gaining valuable experience in France. The 19-year-old may crack the starting lineup in Atlanta, especially with the departure of former starter Dejounte Murray, who was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans this offseason.

He plays like a true shooting guard with good size, making him a solid option alongside Trae Young in the backcourt. His biggest competition for the starting spot would be DeAndre Hunter, who mainly came off the bench last season for the Hawks and averaged 15.6 points per game.