The Atlanta Hawks will be without Kingston Flemings for tonight’s game against Indiana. The NBA has suspended the rookie guard for one game without pay after he intentionally elbowed Bryce McGowens in the head during Atlanta’s 121-99 defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans.
REPORT Kingston Flemings has been suspended one game for intentionally elbowing Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the head. Per @ShamsCharania https://t.co/eB7krJECU6
— SleeperHawks (@SleeperHawks) November 2, 2026
The incident occurred with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, when Flemings struck McGowens away from the ball in a moment of frustration. After reviewing the incident, the referees assessed him a technical foul and ejected him. However, the league decided that leaving the game three minutes early was not punishment enough, handing him an additional one-game suspension.
Flemings will therefore miss a game during what has been an inconsistent start to his rookie season, mixing quiet performances with flashes of his scoring potential. His standout performance against Miami, when he recorded 23 points and five assists, offered a glimpse of what he is capable of. It was one of the most impressive displays by a rookie so far this season and highlighted his potential as a promising young player. However, he will also need to learn to keep his temper in check.