The Atlanta Hawks had no business being in the game against the Phoenix Suns as they entered it with Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis. Things got bleaker in the fourth quarter when 2024 no. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher took a hard fall after a two-handed dunk.
Zaccharie Risacher took a NASTY fall and no Suns player seemed to care AT ALL 😩 pic.twitter.com/bjQ6vaEnT6
— TG Casino (@TGCasino_) November 17, 2025
The scary accident occurred in the 7th minute mark with his team down 15 points. He was ahead of everyone for the dunk but he hang on a little too long on the rim and took a hard fall.
Zaccharie Risacher walked into the locker room on his own.
Hope him ok 🙏 pic.twitter.com/uxBypnron9
— Eric Yu (@Eric35_Yu) November 17, 2025
He managed to walk on his own but his return was ruled out.
The odds just got worse for Atlanta but they still managed to close in little by little and stole the win. They outscored the Suns, 47-27, in the fourth to pull off an improbable and thrilling victory against their streaking visitors who were on a 5-game winning streak before Sunday.
The win spoiled Dillon Brooks‘ first ever back-to-back 30 point games. Devin Booker had 27 points in the loss.
As for the Hawks, Onyeka Okongwu led the way with his 27 points while Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 26 points, his most so far this season. He is yet to score in single digit this season.
Zaccharie Risacher inspired his teammates
Losing Risacher is a huge blow and while some other teams will fold, his teammates did not see it that way. Instead, the sophomore’s situation made them work harder to the victory.
Talking post-game, Alexander-Walker shared how the 20-year-old impacted their drive to pull off the win.
Atlanta Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker said Jalen Johnson was the one who spoke up first after Zaccharie Risacher went down:
“JJ was the first to say something as soon as it happened. Like, that mentality. ‘Let’s go get this win for Zacch.’” pic.twitter.com/kcywLqgWBJ
— JJ (@JameelahJNBA) November 17, 2025
Even fans felt the shift in the energy within the squad.
At that moment, the Suns lost the game. They had no compassion. We saw what family looks like. Hawks looked out Zaccharie Risacher and got the win for him, and for each other. https://t.co/19Wsyw3D9e
— King Josh Chig Mira (@JoshChig) November 17, 2025
Right now, there are still no update on the condition and availability of Risacher for the next game which will be on Tuesday against East giants Detroit Pistons.
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