How to watch Atlanta Hawks vs. Washington Wizards, Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr Summer League debut

The NBA has wasted no time putting the top two picks in this year’s Draft on the same court together. The Summer League tips off today from Las Vegas and the headline of opening day is the game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards who went with two frenchman with the first and second overall selections.

The French Revolution continues

While the Summer League doesn’t always guarantee massive audiences there are games and players that can draw a crowd. Last year it was Victor Wembanyama who turned the 10 day tournament into must see TV. This year that feeling is not quite as palpable, but if there is one game to tune into, it will be tonight’s Hawks vs. Wizards game.

Zaccharie Risacher was taken first over all by the Atlanta Hawks after playing professionally in France for the last three years. He averaged 10 points and almost 4 rebounds a game in the Pro A League, and 13 points in Eurocup shooting 56% from three point range.

He is a long range specialist that is long and lengthy which makes him a lockdown defender on the other end of the court. Not a whole lot is known about Risacher who doesn’t come into the NBA with as much hype or as many highlights as Wemby did last year. It’s not often you see a three-and-D guy go first overall, but the Hawks saw what they liked and took him with the top pick.

Did Sarr shun Hawks?

Alex Sarr is another seven foot Frenchman, like Wemby, but unlike Wemby, he is a defensive specialist. He’s big, he’s quick and he plug up the paint or defend out on the perimeter. He’s got room for improvement on the offensive end, but his he’s a decent passer and ball handler for his size.

He played for Perth in Australia’s NBL and averaged 9.7 points and 4.4 rebounds while blocking 1.3 shots per game. Sarr had a predraft workout scheduled with the Hawks which he failed to show up to, and many took that as him not wanting to wind up in Atlanta, which adds a little spice to tonight’s encounter.

Tonight’s game is set to tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. ESPN will be broadcasting this first match up between No. 1 vs. No. 2 in the 2024 NBA Draft. The game will also be streamed on ESPN+.