Kingston Flemings’ Night Takes Painful Turn As Atlanta Hawks Rookie Suffers Injury Scare Against Chicago Bulls

Kingston Flemings suffers scary moment against the Chicago Bulls© Instagram/ k1ng_flemings

Kingston Flemings never made it out of the third quarter in Chicago. Hawks coach Quin Snyder pulled the rookie with 7:02 left, sending CJ McCollum in, and his night was done. The 6-foot-4 guard was ruled out with back tightness after going scoreless in 17 minutes, with one rebound and one assist. Atlanta lost the NBA Cup game 125-117 in overtime. Flemings had been listed as questionable with lumbar spasms before the Hawks cleared him to play. For a 19-year-old settling into the starting role, it was an ugly turn for him and the Hawks alike.

What Happened To Kingston Flemings In The Hawks-Bulls Game?

Kingston Flemings checked out at the 7:02 mark of the third quarter, and the Hawks soon ruled the No. 8 pick out with back tightness. Snyder sent in McCollum, and Flemings did not return. The stat line shows how little he got going: zero points, one rebound, one assist and 17 minutes.

The pregame picture was already cloudy. Atlanta had listed Flemings as questionable with lumbar spasms, then made him available. The reports do not say whether the two are linked, or when the rookie could be back. Atlanta next faces the Milwaukee Bucks, then the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Charlotte Hornets, so the injury reports ahead are the first thing to watch.

Flemings Was Building Real Momentum Before The Back Issue

The setback came while the 19-year-old was settling in. Flemings won the starting point guard job 14 days into the season. Going into Chicago, he had averaged 10.8 points, 3.8 assists and 2.3 rebounds as a starter, with 52.1% shooting from the field and 42.9% from three. The totals are modest, but the shot mix looks healthy, and the film shows sound decisions. The best night came against the Miami Heat, with 23 points, five assists, and five rebounds on 9-of-12 shooting.

Composure stands out on film. Flemings slows the game down, then takes the mid-range shot or kicks the ball out. Rookies rarely play that calmly, which helps explain why a 19-year-old holds the starting job.

The playmaking was never a surprise. He piled up 27 assists against nine turnovers across eight summer league games, and the habit carried into the regular season. Speed is the second piece. Atlanta ranked sixth in fast-break points, which fits a guard who pushes the pace for Snyder. Flemings also reads passing lanes for steals and holds up on the ball, a tougher profile than the Hawks had with Trae Young, a four-time All-Star, at the position.