In a significant shift for the Atlanta Hawks, Zaccharie Risacher, the team's 2024 first-round pick, found himself absent from the starting lineup for only the third time in his 120 career games on Sunday. This strategic adjustment saw CJ McCollum, a 13-year veteran recently acquired from Washington, stepping into the starting five alongside Jalen Johnson, Onyeka Okongwu, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Dyson Daniels. The revised lineup proved effective in securing a 115-104 victory for Atlanta against the Nets.

Hours before the Hawks' upcoming game against the Wizards, Risacher expressed his unwavering commitment to the team, stating, "I've always been a team player. I'm ready to do whatever it takes to be able to impact the game as much as I can ... I feel like it's all about the team, so no matter if I start or not, I'm still going to give 100% on the court." This sentiment underscores his professionalism amidst the lineup change.

Coach Quin Snyder elaborated on the reasoning behind the decision, indicating that Atlanta had been trending towards this move since McCollum's acquisition. The Hawks' most common closing lineup, which includes Johnson, Okongwu, Alexander-Walker, Daniels, and McCollum, has consistently been the preferred group in late-game situations. Snyder highlighted the effectiveness of this unit, noting, "That group of guys that finished the game, by far, their net rating is like 10 points above any other combination. It's our best lineup." This group's impact was evident in the Nets game, where they orchestrated a 24-2 run in the final seven minutes to overcome an 11-point deficit.

McCollum justified his new role with a strong performance, contributing 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and a steal in 32 minutes. Risacher, playing off the bench, added seven points and a rebound in 20 minutes. While Snyder acknowledged the potential benefits of McCollum anchoring the second unit, the team's consistent slow starts prompted the adjustments to integrate McCollum with the starters for more meaningful minutes from the outset.

Despite the change, Snyder reassured that his belief in Risacher remains steadfast. "It doesn't reflect, in any way, my personal belief in Zacch," Snyder emphasized. "Zacch's about all the right stuff, and so his development is something that's going to continue to happen whether he's starting or coming off the bench." He also noted that Risacher's minutes align with those of other players from the 2024 draft class.

The Hawks are currently navigating a season marked by significant roster turnover, with nearly half the team joining in the past two months. This influx of new talent, including Corey Kispert from the Wizards and Jonathan Kuminga from the Warriors (who is expected to return from injury soon), is intensifying the competition for playing time. Snyder acknowledged these challenges, stating, "These quandaries are always there. This is just the latest one. So, we'll work our way through it." He stressed the balance between trusting players and prioritizing team victories, affirming, "There's a balance there - your belief in guys and giving them confidence, and then also, we're about winning. We want to win the game, and you have to make some decisions along that line." Snyder concluded by indicating that these adjustments are not necessarily permanent, leaving room for future flexibility.