Hawks fans couldn’t have asked for a better start to the season, and with a new year comes new opportunities. For Kingston Flemings, he got five looks last night but couldn’t capitalize on a single one.
Although he went scoreless, the 15-minute performance revealed something valuable about Atlanta’s young point guard.
Flemings has abnormal determination for a rookie
The 19-year-old gave spectators a taste of his endurance during the NBA Summer Leagueand preseason. It’s highly encouraging to see his will to win on an off night, especially during his NBA debut.
Whether he was attempting a drive-and-kick or running the pick-and-roll, he stayed in complete control. It’s rare to see a rookie point guard with such composure, and he’ll only improve as time goes on. His first highlight came on his first possession of the game.
Flemings penetrated the defense and passed it to center Jock Landale, who then swung it to guard Lu Dort for three. Kingston used his patented speed to generate instant offense.
As time goes on, he’ll become even more aggressive and add another devastating element to the Hawks' offense. When Trae Young was leading the offense, his small frame resulted in a higher frequency of turnovers.
Now that Kingston is in the rotation, his 6’4" frame, paired with his speed, will make a dynamic combination. In the moments when CJ McCollum is slowing the game down, Flemings will bring the exact opposite, and his defense is just as impressive.
Flemings is already a ferocious defender for the Hawks
The San Antonio native used that southern grit to wrap up Magic guard Jalen Suggs to cause a jump ball in the first quarter. His substitution automatically set the tone on defense, and even though he lost the tip, his intensity continued into the second quarter.
At 10:58 of the second quarter, he applied on-ball pressure on Suggs that led to a block from Landale. It’s a prime example of the Hawks' new defensive standard. They use good perimeter defense to force teams into Atlanta’s fortified interior.
Shortly after the defensive sequence, Flemings drove once again, and this time he hit Aaron Wiggins, who drilled a three-pointer. The momentum was disrupted by a collision between Landale and Magic center Nikola Vucevic who saw the 6’11", 255-pound Australian hit the hardwood floor, writhing in pain.
This was the same team that injured Jock last year before the Hawks faced the New York Knicks in the 2026 NBA Playoffs, so Atlanta was on high alert for the remainder of the game. Landale returned to his feet, and the Hawks pressed on.
It didn’t take long for Flemings to generate another highlight. Shortly after, a bucket from Magic guard Jase Richardson pushed the ball back down the court, and Kingston attacked the rim like a speeding bullet for a layup attempt.
As the ball clanked off the rim, he boxed out his man and grabbed his own rebound in one swift motion. Once he adds more muscle to his frame, this will become a regular occurrence. It was one of the four rebounds he grabbed during the game, but this one in particular showed the athleticism the Hawks desperately needed at point guard.
This performance was divine timing, as many fans are praising Oklahoma City Thunder center Aday Mara. A part of the conversation includes Atlanta’s decision to draft Kingston over the 7’3" NCAA Champion, but it’s clear that Flemings will fit like a glove in this Hawks system.
Box score watchers will see he shot 0-for-5 and had a -5 +/-. However, those who watched the game know Flemings will become a vital part of Atlanta’s identity as he develops.
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