‘We’re Only Going To Get Better’: Zaccharie Risacher Wants Dallas Mavericks Playing With Pace Against Indiana Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS — Zaccharie Risacher wants the Dallas Mavericks controlling Indiana’s pace on defense and pushing their own on offense Friday against the Indiana Pacers, the forward said before the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Wednesday’s 128-110 season-opening loss at the Houston Rockets was his first regular-season game with Dallas.
Risacher came off the bench in Houston and finished with 4 points, 6 rebounds, and 5 of the Mavericks’ 12 steals. At the third-quarter buzzer, he found Kyrie Irving on a cut for a layup that made it 100-76. Tip-off against Indiana is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Zaccharie Risacher On Indiana Pacers’ Pace And Mavericks’ First Game
Indiana scored 27 fast-break points and forced 15 turnovers in Wednesday’s 123-120 win at New Orleans. Houston outscored Dallas 29-17 in fast-break points the same night. Playing fast, playing with pace, and sharing the ball will take care of the rest, in Risacher’s view.
“They’re going to play fast. We’ve got to control that defensively,” Risacher told Dallas Sports Journal. “And [on offense], play our game, play with pace, sharing the ball, and that’s going to be the keys right here.”
Dallas trailed 70-38 at halftime after a 38-12 second quarter, then won the second half 72-58. The Mavericks did not compete the way they wanted to in the opener, by Risacher’s account, and he treated it as a game to learn from.
“It was like first training. I feel like we didn’t compete as we wanted to. And that’s how you learn,” Risacher explained. “It was only the first game of the season and I feel like… I feel like we’re only going to get better. And the good thing about it is quickly we have to focus on the next game.”
“That’s just, happy to be able to get to the new game and be able to get to the next thing going,” Risacher continued.
Risacher On Taking Pressure Off Kyrie Irving
Houston put two defenders on the ball against Irving on Wednesday, Mavericks coach Dusty May said afterward. Irving played 23:45 on a minutes restriction in his first regular-season game in 597 days and had 3 turnovers in the first half.
Getting Irving open and into the right spots is a job for the whole group, according to Risacher. The pressure in Houston was what the Rockets wanted, he said.
“Just being aware that that might happen, that’s what they want. That’s what they did. And I feel like me and also like just us as a team got [to] do the job and make sure we can get Kyrie open, get him to the right position so he can do his thing,” Risacher said. “But overall, I think just if we’re playing fast, play our game, play with pace, sharing the ball, it’s gonna take care of itself.”
Dallas acquired Risacher on July 19 in a three-team trade that sent Ryan Nembhard to the Atlanta Hawks and moved Luguentz Dort from the Oklahoma City Thunder to Atlanta. The Hawks drafted Risacher first overall in 2024, and he made the All-Rookie First Team and finished second to Stephon Castle in Rookie of the Year voting after averaging 12.6 points and 3.6 rebounds.
His second season in Atlanta, Risacher averaged 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists in 22.4 minutes over 67 games. Dallas has until Oct. 31 to decide on his $17.4M team option for 2027-28. The Mavericks host the San Antonio Spurs in their home opener Saturday at 7 p.m. CT.
