Kingston Flemings Looks Ready To Contribute In 2026-27

The Atlanta Hawks beat the San Antonio Spurs 123-116 in their latest preseason game, and rookie guard Kingston Flemings' play is grabbing plenty of attention.

The usual preseason caveats apply. This was an exhibition game. It is not proof that everything Flemings showed will immediately translate once the regular season starts.

Still, it is fair to say the performance provided encouraging evidence.

Flemings finished with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 2-of-4 from 3-point range. He added five assists and three steals in just 19 minutes.

More importantly, the way he played should make Hawks fans optimistic.

In 2025-26, the Hawks were one of the NBA's fastest teams. Their 102.5 pace ranked fifth in the league.

That identity makes sense for this roster.

As a point forward, Jalen Johnson wants to play in transition. Dyson Daniels creates plenty of opportunities to run. Onyeka Okongwu has quicker feet than most starting centers.

Flemings fits right into that approach.

His three steals against San Antonio were especially encouraging. Flemings created takeaways on the ball and jumped passing lanes, and his first instinct was consistently to push the pace and generate easier scoring opportunities.

That is exactly what Atlanta should want from its backup point guard.

The Hawks already viewed Flemings as a strong roster fit when they selected him No. 8 overall, and his preseason play is starting to show why.

Of course, no NBA team can live entirely in transition. Teams that cannot execute in the half court tend to get exposed once games slow down, particularly in the postseason.

Luckily for Atlanta, Flemings flashed some encouraging ability there as well.

Throughout the game, Flemings looked comfortable getting to his mid-range jumper.

He also found ways to reach the middle of the defense and create chances around the rim. When the defense reacted, he consistently showed an ability to make the correct passing read.

Again, this was a preseason game. There is no reason to get carried away.

Flemings will struggle at times as a rookie. Almost every first-year guard does. More highly regarded prospects than Flemings have needed time to adjust to NBA defenses, physicality, and decision-making speed.

The good news is that Atlanta will not ask him to carry the team.

Flemings projects as the Hawks' backup point guard, which gives him room to develop without having to immediately become one of the offense's primary creators.

That role also makes sense on a roster built around Johnson's playmaking and Daniels' defensive impact. Atlanta spent the offseason adding more depth around that core, and Flemings gives the Hawks another guard who can create pace without needing the offense built around him.

On that standard, his performance against San Antonio was extremely encouraging.

If Flemings can consistently pressure the ball, push Atlanta in transition, create his own shot when necessary, and make reliable reads in the half court, he could become a valuable piece of the Hawks' rotation much sooner than expected.

For now, the next step is seeing how much of it carries over once the regular season begins.