The 4th of July holiday had everyone excited, whether at a pool party, barbecue, or both; it was a great time around the country. However, some people still had to fulfill their employment obligations, and the NBA’s latest rookies were among them.
It all started with Atlanta’s own Kingston Flemings as he faced off against Utah’s Darryn Peterson. The two lottery picks brought their teammates to the spotlight as the highly-anticipated matchup aired on ESPN at 5 pm on a Saturday. Both players had faced off twice in college basketball, but this particular meeting revealed something valuable.
Kingston showed both persistence and impressive playmaking
We saw Flemings struggle from the field in the first half. It was apparent that he was struggling to get into a rhythm, but his ability to get others involved took center stage. He mentioned his adaptability in a letter he addressed to teams prior to the 2026 NBA Draft, and it’s clear he wasn’t lying.
As he shot 1-7 in the first half, it was encouraging to see him maintain his aggression, and it would end up doing him a favor in the second half. By the end of the game, he recovered nicely, finishing with 14 points and nine assists. He also showcased his defensive prowess with four steals.
It was a solid performance, all things considered, but many feel like Peterson outplayed Flemings. The No. 2 overall pick dropped 28 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
He shot 10-20 from the field, and gave Flemings defensive adversity on the other end. On the contrary, Flemings' nine assists came with only one turnover, compared to Peterson, who committed eight of them.
It’s obvious one was focused on scoring the ball while the other prioritized passing it. The fierce battle forced Flemings to come alive down the stretch, hitting threes on the fast break, and later in the fourth quarter, he cashed what most people thought was a clutch three-pointer after a late 9-0 run by the Hawks.
Flemings' clutch jumper almost sent the game into overtime, but it was ruled a two-pointer because his toe was on the line. Courts like the University of Utah’s are rare in 2026, and this is important because an overtime win would’ve been massive for Flemings after his struggles in the first half.
His clutch gene was on full display, and it’s perfect for the Hawks, as they need a fourth-quarter closer for the long-term. Regardless of the one-point loss, Atlanta left the court with a victory, knowing their new point guard has a heart full of resilience.
The long-term value of Flemings' determination and resilience
In the past, this young Hawks team has let games slip away from a lack of confidence in the face of adversity, most notably in their first playoff series together.
After scraping by with two one-point victories over the New York Knicks heading into Game 4, the Hawks crumbled under their adjustments, and it snowballed in their 140-89 Game Six loss.
Flemings' aggressive approach will keep the Hawks in games moving forward by getting opponents in foul trouble and cashing in at the free-throw line. It’s mandatory if the Hawks really want to compete at the highest level.
We saw newly minted All-Star Jalen Johnson struggle with New York’s physicality, and there were times when the 24-year-old wouldn’t even look at the rim. It’s unacceptable as a franchise player in today’s league, and Flemings has the potential to become the Robin to Atlanta’s new Batman.
He will set the tone with speed and rim attacks, while also creating for others. It’s a mixture of defensive gravity and playmaking, a combination that helped Trae Young become a 4x All-Star in Atlanta.
Since Kingston Flemings was chosen as his successor, it’s evident that Onsi Saleh made the right decision on draft night.
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