By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Zaccharie Risacher, the top draft pick, scored a league-high 33 points across all rookies in the 2024-25 NBA Regular Season.
The French forward had 11/18 field goals, including 6/10 from beyond the arc, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a win, 121-116, over the New York Knicks in State Farm Arena.
“He basically tells me to shoot the f… ball, every time,” he revealed advice from head coach Quin Snyder, “That is not just from him. That is from everybody, the coaching staff and my teammates.”
In addition to erupting for 33 points, he drew seven rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks over 37 minutes.
The team coached by Snyder stormed back with a 13-1 run down the stretch to prevail on Wednesday. Starting center, Swiss Clint Capela chipped in 18 points with 8/8 field goals. Serbian Bogdan Bogdanovic (right hamstring tendinopathy) and Czech Vit Krejci (right adductor strain) stayed on the injury list.
On the opposite end, British O.G. Anunoby finished with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one steal. French Pacome Dadiet and German Ariel Hukporti did not play.
Iisalo leads Grizzlies over Lakers, LeBron
Overcoming a 39-point display by LeBron James and an early exit for Ja Morant due to a right hamstring injury, the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Los Angeles Lakers, 131-114, in FedExForum. Spanish Santi Aldama produced an 11-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Finnish Tuomas Iisalo took over head-coaching responsibilities for the hosts, replacing head coach Taylor Jenkins who missed the game because of a death in the family.
In Gainbridge Fieldhouse, German Franz Wagner registered a game-high 28 points but the Orlando Magic fell, 118-111, to the Indiana Pacers. Fellow European starters, Goga Bitadze posted a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double and German Tristan da Silva finished with five points. Moritz Wagner had 14 points.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix Suns overpowered the Miami Heat, 115-112, in Footprint Center. Bosnian Jusuf Nurkic posted a 20-point, 18-rebound double-double.
Wednesday games
Charlotte Hornets – Detroit Pistons 108-107
Indiana Pacers – Orlando Magic 118-111
Atlanta Hawks – New York Knicks 121-116
Boston Celtics – Golden State Warriors 112-118
Houston Rockets – San Antonio Spurs 127-100
Memphis Grizzlies – Los Angeles Lakers 131-114
New Orleans Pelicans – Cleveland Cavaliers 122-131
Dallas Mavericks – Chicago Bulls 119-99
Denver Nuggets – Oklahoma City Thunder 124-122
Phoenix Suns – Miami Heat 115-112
Los Angeles Clippers – Philadelphia 76ers 110-98
Sacramento Kings – Toronto Raptors 122-107
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. Cleveland Cavaliers 9-0
2. Boston Celtics 7-2
3. Brooklyn Nets 4-4
4. Indiana Pacers 4-4
5. Atlanta Hawks 4-5
6. New York Knicks 3-4
7. Miami Heat 3-4
8. Charlotte Hornets 3-5
9. Chicago Bulls 3-5
10. Detroit Pistons 3-6
11. Orlando Magic 3-6
12. Washington Wizards 2-4
13. Toronto Raptors 2-7
14. Milwaukee Bucks 1-6
15. Philadelphia 76ers 1-6
Western Conference
1. Golden State Warriors 7-1
2. Oklahoma City Thunder 7-1
3. Phoenix Suns 7-1
4. Houston Rockets 5-3
5. Sacramento Kings 5-3
6. Dallas Mavericks 5-3
7. Denver Nuggets 5-3
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 4-3
9. Memphis Grizzlies 5-4
10. Los Angeles Clippers 4-4
11. Los Angeles Lakers 4-4
12. San Antonio Spurs 3-5
13. Portland Trail Blazers 3-5
14. New Orleans Pelicans 3-6
15. Utah Jazz 1-6
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins