NBA suspends Hawks rookie Kingston Flemings for 'intentionally elbowing' Pelicans' Bryce McGowens in the head

The NBA suspended rookie Atlanta Hawks guard Kingston Flemings one game for "intentionally elbowing" New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the head, the league announced Sunday.

The incident took place during the Pelicans' 121-99 win over the Hawks on Saturday. Flemings will miss Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers without pay.

The incident took place late in Saturday's game as the Pelicans held a big lead.

Flemings delivered a forearm to McGowens' face in a clearout as he drove to the basket in transition. McGowens blocked the shot despite getting hit in the face, and the two landed near each other on the baseline.

This isn't what got Flemings suspended. As the two ran back up court side-by-side, Flemings delivered an elbow to Flemings head that in no way resembled a basketball play.

A scuffle ensued in the aftermath of the contact. Officials reviewed the play and issued Flemings a technical foul and ejected him from the game. The Pelicans held a 119-93 lead in the game's final minutes when Flemings delivered the elbow.

This is the dirty elbow off the ball that Kingston Flemings hit Bryce McGowens with, and this is why he got ejected.

Both the Pelicans and Hawks broadcasts missed it at first.

So he wasn't ejected for the elbow on the drive. https://t.co/oRY02n7tENpic.twitter.com/LDooVcpvul

— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) November 1, 2026

Flemings, 19, has played seven NBA games. The Hawks selected him with the No. 8 overall pick in June's NBA Draft after his standout freshman season at Houston.

In 20.1 minutes per game, Flemings is averaging 7.1 points, 4.6 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 0.9 steals while shooting 47.6% from the floor and 38.5% from 3.