Atlanta Hawks rookie faces suspension after controversial elbow to opponent sparks disciplinary action

The NBA has suspended Atlanta Hawks rookie Kingston Flemings for one game without pay. The league says the guard intentionally elbowed New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the head during Saturday’s 121-99 loss. It happened with 3:04 left in the fourth quarter. Officials gave Flemings a technical foul and ejected the rookie, and a short scuffle followed in which New Orleans’ Julian Reese also drew a technical. Flemings will miss Monday’s road game against the Indiana Pacers, a night when the Hawks already have four players listed as questionable or out.What did Kingston Flemings do to earn a suspension?The league ruled the contact was deliberate and said the elbow landed on McGowens’ head. The 19-year-old threw it while running back up the floor, and the whistle came fast. A review ended with the ejection.Flemings had 12 points, six assists and two rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench before the ejection. The No. 8 pick in the 2026 draft out of Houston is averaging 7.1 points, 4.7 assists and 2.9 rebounds this season. The suspension costs the guard one game check, and Flemings is due back Wednesday against the Washington Wizards.How will the Hawks cover for Flemings against Indiana?Flemings is the only true point guard on the roster, so the gap is hard to fill. The rookie was coming off the best game of his young career, with 23 points, five assists and five rebounds against Miami last Wednesday. The injury report came out Monday, and the suspension followed shortly after, which left Atlanta little time to adjust.Aaron Wiggins is expected to take heavier minutes. Two-way guard RayJ Dennis could get first regular-season action. Dennis has played well in the G League for Atlanta, but NBA minutes are a different test.The frontcourt is the bigger problem. Jock Landale, Mouhamed Gueye and Henri Veesaar are out, and Jalen Johnson is questionable. If Johnson sits, second-year forward Asa Newell should get a larger role. Newell played over 18 minutes Saturday after Landale went down early, finishing with 13 points and four rebounds. Shooting was a struggle, and defense is still a work in progress.Even with Johnson available, Newell likely plays. Rookie Zuby Ejiofor could log first minutes of the season. He took third-center minutes in the preseason but saw little court time, and the question mark is shooting. Dorian Finney-Smith, who has played small-ball center before, is a wildcard.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.