League penalty applies to Atlanta’s visit to Indiana
The NBA suspended Atlanta Hawks rookie Kingston Flemings for one game without pay after determining that he intentionally elbowed New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the head. The league announced the decision on November 1 in the United States, November 2 in the Philippines.
The suspension applies to Atlanta’s November 2 visit to the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, a fixture taking place on November 3 in Philippine time. It removes Flemings from the Hawks’ available guard rotation for that game.
The league’s statement placed the incident at the 3:04 mark of the fourth quarter during Atlanta’s 121–99 loss at New Orleans on October 31. Flemings received a technical foul and was ejected. The suspension is an additional disciplinary consequence beyond his removal from that contest.
Yahoo Sports reported that the contact leading to the penalty happened as the players ran back up the court, following a blocked Flemings layup. The league’s decision concerns the subsequent elbow, rather than simply the unsuccessful attempt at the basket.
Atlanta selected Flemings eighth overall in the June draft after his freshman season at Houston. The ruling means his early NBA development includes a missed game for discipline. The announced punishment is limited to one game; it does not establish an injury absence or a longer suspension.