Atlanta’s rookie guard Kingston Flemings is making noise in his first NBA season, but this latest headline is the kind every young player wants to avoid.
The league handed Flemings a one-game suspension after he elbowed Bryce McGowens in the head during the Hawks’ 121-99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday. James Jones, the NBA’s executive vice president and head of basketball operations, announced the punishment.
The play came with 3:04 left in the fourth quarter, and Flemings was ejected from the game. He will now miss Monday’s matchup against the Indiana Pacers.
Flemings, the No. 8 pick in June, has been a steady piece for Atlanta off the bench. He’s averaging 7.1 points, 2.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 20.3 minutes, while shooting 47.6% from the field and 38.5% from 3-point range. Against the Pelicans, he finished with 12 points, two rebounds, six assists and four steals before the ejection.
Atlanta fell to 3-4 in the loss. CJ McCollum led the way with 14 points, two rebounds and two assists, and Jalen Johnson added 13 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Even with the suspension, Flemings has shown why he’s already become a key part of the Hawks’ second unit. His speed and playmaking have stood out, along with the way he attacks the basket and challenges bigger defenders. He’s been part of a bench group that also includes Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins, Jock Landale and Corey Kispert.
Flemings arrived in the NBA after a one-and-done season at Houston, where he was a Consensus All-American Second Team selection and made the All-Big 12 First Team. He also helped lead the Cougars to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament.
His best outing so far came in Wednesday’s 129-117 loss to the Miami Heat, when he put up 23 points, five rebounds and five assists.
In Other News...
Hawks Have A Real Chance To Test Two Intriguing Rotation Options
The Hawks head into their matchup with the Pacers in a spot that could open the door for a little lineup experimentation. Indiana is set to be without several key players, including its projected starting five, which changes the feel of the game before it even tips off. Atlanta, meanwhile, is expected to have enough available bodies to keep its regular structure intact, but the circumstances also create a chance for Quin Snyder to look a little deeper into the rotation.
One of the more interesting possibilities is how the Hawks handle the minutes behind their usual core. With the game setting up as a chance to see what some lesser-used pieces can do, rookie Ejiofor could be in line for a look in the frontcourt after Jock Landales early exit against New Orleans. There is also a path for RayJ Dennis to get a turn running the offense with Kingston Flemings suspended, giving Atlanta a live game setting to evaluate two roles it may need to answer sooner rather than later. [Read more 🡒]
Dyson Daniels Could Face A Bigger Hawks Test Than Expected
The Hawks may have to adjust their rotation sooner than expected, and that could put Dyson Daniels in a much different spot than the one he usually occupies. With Kingston Flemings set to miss one game because of suspension and Jalen Johnson listed as questionable for the same matchup, Atlanta may need Daniels to do more than defend and keep the offense moving in its usual flow.
Daniels has built his value on the defensive end, but the Hawks could ask him to shoulder a bigger scoring and playmaking load if the lineup thins out. If that expanded role proves too much in the moment, RayJ Dennis is there as another option, which gives Atlanta at least one more path to cover the absences without overextending Daniels. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Forced Into Another Lineup Shakeup With Frontcourt Suddenly Thin
The Hawks are headed into tonights matchup with Indiana having to adjust on the fly again, this time with Jalen Johnson ruled out and the frontcourt depth taking another hit. Atlanta already had a short list of unavailable players, and the absence of Johnson adds more pressure to a rotation that has been forced to absorb a steady stream of lineup changes.
Atlanta did release its starting lineup, and the reshuffle is already showing up there as the Hawks try to piece together answers against a Pacers team dealing with its own injury issues. With both sides missing key contributors, this one has turned into a test of depth and flexibility before the opening tip, and Atlantas latest look will be worth watching to see how it holds up. [Read more 🡒]