NBA Issues Suspension to Hawks Rookie for Violent Act vs. Pelicans Star That Got Him Ejected

Amid the Atlanta Hawks’ latest 121-99 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans that settled the former's win-loss column at 3-4 so far, 19-year-old Hawks rookie Kingston Flemings hit the headlines over on-court conduct. As a result, the Hawks will be playing the Indiana Pacers next without the rookie guard.

“Atlanta Hawks guard Kingston Flemings has been suspended one game without pay for intentionally elbowing New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the head, it was announced today by James Jones, Executive Vice President, Head of Basketball Operations ... Flemings will serve his suspension tomorrow when the Hawks visit the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse” read the NBA's statement (via @NBAPR on X).

The Pelicans kept the Hawks on edge the whole game, and the desperation was highlighted with 3:04 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. That was when Flemings deliberately elbowed McGowens. Both were in the Pelicans' half of the court and slowly moving to the front while the rest of the players had advanced to the other half, with the ball in the Pelicans' possession.

Consequently, he was assessed a technical foul and ejected. He finished with 12 points, six assists, and two rebounds in that game in 25 minutes of play.

Post-game, Flemings apologized for the incident.

"Definitely upset we were losing the game. Definitely apologize for that; gotta be smarter than that," said Flemings (in a video shared by reporter Rashad Milligan on X). "We made a good play. That's really on me; nothing else really to that."

When asked whether there was something unusual that led to that moment, Flemings said it was just "frustration."

The Hawks opened the scoring, but the Pelicans dominated them after that, never letting go of the lead en route to the 22-point victory.

The Pelicans had five players dropping double digits, notably Saddiq Bey racking up 25 points, six rebounds, and one assist in 26 minutes. Jeremiah Fears poured in 20 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. Both Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy added 15, while Herbert Jones added 11.

Fleming's one-game suspension makes the Hawks’ situation somewhat tough. He has averaged 7.1 points, 4.7 assists, and 2.9 rebounds in seven games, and shown flashes of potential. In just his third NBA game last week, the 6'3 rookie scored a career-high 23 points, five assists, and five rebounds in the Hawks’ 129-117 defeat to the Miami Heat.

He has been shooting 47.6% from the field, 38.5% from the arc, and 71.4% from the charity stripe.

Flemings' elbow incident also brings back the attention on Victor Wembanyama elbowing the New York Knicks’ Karl-Anthony Towns in Game 4 of Spurs vs. Knicks in the 2025-26 NBA Finals and receiving a flagrant foul 1. Unlike Flemings, he wasn't suspended.

The Hawks will meet the 2-5 Pacers in the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Monday, while Flemings will warm the bench.