By Johnny Askounis/ [email protected]
Less than two weeks after setting his career-high in points at 36, Zaccharie Risacher improved to 38, pushing the Atlanta Hawks to a win, 133-109, over the Brooklyn Nets in Barclays Center on Thursday.
In a battle for positioning in the 2025 SoFi NBA Play-In Tournament, the 20-year-old French winger made 15/20 from the field, including six three-pointers. Lasting nearly 35 minutes, his efforts additionally featured four rebounds, two steals, two assists, and one block.. Off the bench, Czech Vit Krejci connected 3/3 field goals for nine points alongside two assists, two rebounds, and one steal. Swiss Clint Capela (left fourth metacarpal ligament sprain) remained sidelined.
For the team coached by Spanish Jordi Fernandez, European participation went into British Tosan Evbuomwan. He recorded 18 points behind 7/15 from the field. The 24-year-old combo forward added six rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal in just under 28 minutes. Wrapping up the 2024-25 Regular Season, the Nets visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday and host the New York Knicks on Sunday.
The Timberwolves erupted for 52 points in the third quarter en route to a win, 141-125, against the Memphis Grizzlies in FedExForum. Complementing a 44-point showing by Anthony Edwards, French Rudy Gobert scored 13 points with 5/5 two-pointers, in addition to eight rebounds and four assists. Bosnian Luka Garza did not play, and Dutch Jesse Edwards did not suit up.
“We talk about trust, but it is tough to trust when you don’t know where your teammate is. We just got to do it, collectively,” Spanish Santi Aldama reacted to his side being reduced to seventh in the Western Conference standings. He recorded five points, five assists, and four rebounds for the team coached by Finnish Tuomas Iisalo.
A late rally by the Detroit Pistons produced a 115-106 victory versus the Knicks in Little Caesars Arena. German Dennis Schroder threw in eight points, two rebounds, one steal, and one assist. Italian Simone Fontecchio was limited to one rebound, and Swedish Bobi Klintman did not play.
On the losing end, French Pacome Dadiet stayed on the bench with British O.G. Anunoby (right thumb sprain) and Ariel Hukporti (left knee surgery) on the injury list.
Thursday results
Detroit Pistons – New York Knicks 115-106
Indiana Pacers – Cleveland Cavaliers 114-112
Brooklyn Nets – Atlanta Hawks 109-133
Milwaukee Bucks – New Orleans Pelicans 136-111
Memphis Grizzlies – Minnesota Timberwolves 125-141
Standings
Eastern Conference
1. p-Cleveland Cavaliers 63-17
2. p-Boston Celtics 59-21
3. p-New York Knicks 50-30
4. p-Indiana Pacers 49-31
5. p-Milwaukee Bucks 46-34
6. p-Detroit Pistons 44-36
7. Orlando Magic 40-40
8. Atlanta Hawks 38-42
9. Chicago Bulls 37-43
10. Miami Heat 36-44
11. e-Toronto Raptors 30-50
12. e-Brooklyn Nets 26-54
13. e-Philadelphia 76ers 24-56
14. e-Charlotte Hornets 19-61
15. e-Washington Wizards 17-63
Western Conference
1. p-Oklahoma City Thunder 66-14
2. p-Houston Rockets 52-28
3. p-Los Angeles Lakers 49-31
4. Denver Nuggets 48-32
5. Los Angeles Clippers 48-32
6. Golden State Warriors 47-33
7. Memphis Grizzlies 47-33
8. Minnesota Timberwolves 47-33
9. Sacramento Kings 39-41
10. Dallas Mavericks 38-42
11. e-Phoenix Suns 35-45
12. e-Portland Trail Blazers 35-45
13. e-San Antonio Spurs 33-47
14. e-New Orleans Pelicans 21-59
15. e-Utah Jazz 17-63
-The top six teams from each conference clinch a berth in the Playoffs
-Teams ranking seventh to tenth advance to the Play-Ins
p-clinched a playoff berth
e-eliminated