Quin Snyder Sends Strong Message About Kingston Flemings After First NBA Start

Kingston Flemings was in the Atlanta Hawks’ starting lineup for the first time Wednesday night and scored 14 points in a 120-105 win over the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.

The 19-year-old opened the scoring 22 seconds in with a 25-foot 3-pointer off an Okongwu pass. He made 6 of his 9 shots in 23 minutes, including both of his 3-point attempts. He added 4 assists and 3 rebounds against 2 turnovers.

Four days earlier, Flemings was ejected with 3:04 left in a 121-99 loss at New Orleans. Seconds before the elbow, Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens had blocked one of his layup attempts. The NBA suspended Flemings one game without pay for intentionally elbowing McGowens in the head.

He had 12 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists in that game before the ejection.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder said Flemings handled the start in spite of his age.

“Sometimes the moment feels heavy or bigger,” Snyder said. “And he, I think in spite of his age, I thought there was, he was poised. And kind of let the game come to him, and that was good to see.”

Flemings sat out Monday’s 108-104 win at Indiana to serve the suspension. Playing is what he loves.

“It felt great being on the court,” Flemings said. “I love playing ball. So, anytime I can be on the court [and] affect the game. I’m gonna do that.”

Atlanta drafted Flemings eighth overall out of Houston in June. The pick came from New Orleans in the 2025 draft-night trade that sent Derik Queen to the Pelicans, and Flemings signed his rookie-scale contract July 2.

Snyder closed the Oct. 28 loss to the Miami Heat with Flemings on the floor and CJ McCollum on the bench. Wednesday was the first time he put Flemings in the lineup from the jump.

In the second quarter, a Flemings fast-break layup was part of the 13-0 run that gave Atlanta its biggest lead, 48-32. He also fed Ejiofor for a cutting layup during that stretch.

McCollum, in his 14th NBA season, went to the second unit to make room. Snyder said the two guards worked together after Wednesday morning’s shootaround.

“CJ, part of the reason that Kingston was relaxed and poised, it was because this morning of the way that CJ approached last night as well,” Snyder explained. “When you see those two guys after a shootaround, working together like always, and then CJ being able to come in and give us another, a different spark, but another spark. He’s done that for a long time, and I thought he let the game come to him.”

McCollum scored 15 points off the bench on 5-of-14 shooting. He also had 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, and Atlanta outscored Washington by 13 with him on the floor.

The Hawks acquired McCollum and Corey Kispert from Washington in January in the trade that sent Trae Young to the Wizards. Young had 18 points and 6 assists against his former team Wednesday.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker led Atlanta with 26 points and made six 3-pointers.

Onyeka Okongwu and Dyson Daniels had 16 rebounds apiece. Jalen Johnson missed his second straight game with a sprained left ankle.

Atlanta hosts Washington on Friday at State Farm Arena. Tip-off is 7 p.m. ET, and the Hawks stay home for the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday and the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.