Kingston Flemings is giving the Atlanta Hawks exactly the kind of preseason answer they needed.
That matters because this wasn’t supposed to be a spot where the Hawks could afford much uncertainty. With Devin Carter cut and Ryan Nembhard waived, the backup point guard job suddenly had some real weight attached to it.
If nobody seized it, Atlanta’s guard depth could get thin in a hurry. Through two preseason games, Flemings has made a strong case that he can handle the responsibility.
His first start came Monday night with CJ McCollum out, and he looked comfortable right away. He didn’t force the issue, he kept the offense moving, and he played solid defense in an 11-point showing. The shot creation and ball pressure still weren’t the loudest parts of his night, but he didn’t look overwhelmed either.
Then he followed that up with a much louder performance against the Spurs. Flemings finished with 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting from the field and 2-for-4 from three, added five assists, and picked off three steals. He was a major reason the Hawks were able to fuel a second-half comeback, and he finished plus-8 in his minutes.
After the game, Flemings explained what Atlanta was trying to do against San Antonio’s defense:
"Obviously, they got a great defensive team. Just trying to be aggressive, get out of their positions.
You know what I mean? When they have a set defense, they're really hard to score on.
Quinn was telling us to get out and run, and when we went on a run, that's what happened. We were getting rebounds, we were pushing.
So, trying to follow what Quinn said and had success."
He also opened up about how he’s processing the first stretch of preseason and what has changed since training camp:
"You know, for me, I think a lot on the court, and a lot of times I almost overthink it. You know, I'm looking at the ball handling too much.
Like last game, I had a lot of off-off screens I was getting hit on because I'm just ball-watching too much. So it's kind of just, you know, slowing my mind down to almost make me play a little better.
When my mind's moving fast and I'm processing everything at the same time, that's when I struggle. So kind of slowing it down and kicking it, like one game, one play at a time, that definitely helped me a lot."
That’s the key for Atlanta right now. Flemings doesn’t have to be perfect in October.
He just has to look steady, ready, and able to run the show without the game speeding up on him. So far, he’s done that, and the Hawks have to like what they’re seeing.
In Other News...
Hawks Preseason Opener Vs Pacers Could Reveal A Lot Fast
The Hawks preseason opener against the Pacers arrives with more intrigue than your typical October tune-up, especially with both teams still looking to sort out where they stand in the East. Atlanta has added a new defensive piece in Lu Dort, and this game may offer the first look at how he fits into the mix, while the broader backdrop is a matchup between clubs that expect the regular season to matter.
Kingston Flemings is another reason to watch closely after flashing in San Antonio, where the rookie posted a strong all-around preseason line. Player availability on both sides is still unsettled, so the actual rotation could look different by tipoff, but that uncertainty is part of what makes this opener worth keeping an eye on - it may tell us more than the final score does. [Read more 🡒]
Hawks Stuck With Their New Identity Even When It Looked Rough Early
The Hawks got a useful early look at what this new version of the roster is supposed to be in a preseason win over the Spurs, and it was not always pretty. Atlanta came out flat from the perimeter, but the group kept its poise long enough to steady itself and turn the game around before the night was over.
CJ McCollum was part of the mix as the Hawks found better rhythm, and the energy shifted once the second quarter opened things up. Asa Newell, Corey Kispert and Kingston Flemings all had a hand in the swing, giving Atlanta the kind of balanced push it will be looking for when shots are not falling cleanly at the start. [Read more 🡒]
Dream Just Raised The Standard For What Hawks Fans Expect
Atlanta sports has a new benchmark now, and it came from across the womens side of the city. The Dreams run to the 2026 WNBA Finals has put a spotlight on how far a defense-first blueprint can go when it is built with purpose, especially after the roster addition of Angel Reese, the leagues 2026 Defensive Player of the Year. For Hawks fans, it is hard not to notice the parallel: the Dream have shown what a clear identity can look like when it is supported by the right personnel.
That matters because the Hawks have spent the offseason pushing in a similar direction, trying to become tougher and more disruptive on that end of the floor. The comparison does not mean the outcomes will match, but it does raise the bar for what a successful reset can look like in Atlanta. If the Hawks are serious about joining the citys teams in that conversation, the next step is not just adding defense-minded pieces, but proving they can turn the plan into something just as unmistakable as the Dreams. [Read more 🡒]