Risacher Scores 16 as Mavericks Beat Rockets in Preseason

Zaccharie Risacher delivered an encouraging performance in the Dallas Mavericks' 132-115 preseason victory over the Houston Rockets on Sunday, scoring 16 points in 24 minutes. The young forward added three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block, giving Dallas another positive sign as it evaluates its wing rotation for the 2026-27 NBA season.

According to CBS Sports, Risacher shot 7 of 13 from the field and made two of six three-point attempts. He recorded three turnovers but finished with a plus-7 rating, contributing on both ends of the court.

The performance comes as Risacher seeks a stronger second chapter in his NBA career following an inconsistent sophomore season with the Atlanta Hawks. Dallas acquired the former No. 1 overall pick in a trade, creating an opportunity for him to compete for a more prominent role.

Risacher averaged 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game during his rookie season with Atlanta, shooting 45.8% from the field, 35.5% from three-point range and 71.1% from the free-throw line. Those numbers established a solid foundation after the Hawks selected him first overall in the 2024 NBA Draft.

His role diminished during his second season. Risacher averaged 2.2 fewer minutes per game and came off the bench in 21 of his 67 regular-season appearances, while his scoring average dropped by three points per game and his field-goal attempts declined by 2.4 per game.

The reduction in playing time came as Atlanta coach Quin Snyder managed a crowded group of wings. Expectations surrounding Risacher's draft position and uncertainty about his offensive confidence also emerged as possible factors in his declining production, according to The Smoking Cuban.

Dallas now offers Risacher a fresh opportunity alongside another recent top pick, Cooper Flagg. The Mavericks are also evaluating Max Christie, who started for much of the previous season and remains a competitor for minutes in the backcourt and on the wing.

Risacher addressed his arrival in Dallas during the team's Media Day, describing the organization's commitment to bringing him into its plans.

"They want me to be here," Risacher said.

The Mavericks' decision to acquire him signals an opportunity to develop into a longer-term contributor. However, his place in the starting lineup remains a competition rather than a confirmed assignment.

At 6-foot-8, Risacher offers size and defensive flexibility that could complement Dallas playmakers Kyrie Irving and Flagg. His perimeter shooting and ability to run in transition also fit the up-tempo offensive approach described in The Smoking Cuban's preseason analysis.

Christie remains a direct competitor for a starting position, while Irving's return and Flagg's continued development are central to Dallas' plans. Risacher's latest performance provides an early indication of his scoring versatility, but his preseason showing does not establish how many minutes he will receive once the regular season begins.