Kingston Flemings. Image via: Derick Hingle/National Basketball Association via Getty Images
The league says the guard intentionally elbowed New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the head during Saturday’s 121-99 loss. It happened with 3:04 left in the fourth quarter. The 19-year-old threw it while running back up the floor, and the whistle came fast. Flemings had 12 points, six assists and two rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench before the ejection. 8 pick in the 2026 draft out of Houston is averaging 7.1 points, 4.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds this season. The rookie was coming off the best game of his young career, with 23 points, five assists and five rebounds against Miami last Wednesday. Newell played over 18 minutes Saturday after Landale went down early, finishing with 13 points and four rebounds.
The league ruled the contact was deliberate and said the elbow landed on McGowens’ head. The NBA has suspended Atlanta Hawks rookie Kingston Flemings for one game without pay. Officials gave Flemings a technical foul and ejected the rookie, and a short scuffle followed in which New Orleans’ Julian Reese also drew a technical. Flemings will miss Monday’s road game against the Indiana Pacers, a night when the Hawks already have four players listed as questionable or out. A review ended with the ejection. The No. The suspension costs the guard one game check, and Flemings is due back Wednesday against the Washington Wizards. Flemings is the only true point guard on the roster, so the gap is hard to fill. The injury report came out Monday, and the suspension followed shortly after, which left Atlanta little time to adjust. Aaron Wiggins is expected to take heavier minutes. Two-way guard RayJ Dennis could get first regular-season action. Dennis has played well in the G League for Atlanta, but NBA minutes are a different test. The frontcourt is the bigger problem. Jock Landale, Mouhamed Gueye and Henri Veesaar are out, and Jalen Johnson is questionable. If Johnson sits, second-year forward Asa Newell should get a larger role. Shooting was a struggle, and defense is still a work in progress.