sportingnews
Atlanta Hawks rookie Kingston Flemings proved he can impact winning in more ways than scoring during Saturday nights 105-98 NBA Summer League victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Although the former Houston standout struggled to find his offensive rhythm, Flemings made his presence felt on the defensive end and as a playmaker, helping Atlanta improve with another encouraging performance in Las Vegas.
The No.
8 overall pick finished with nine points on 4-of-11 shooting, while adding seven defensive rebounds, five assists and several key deflections.
While his jumper wasnt falling, the rookie refused to let his shooting struggles define his night.
Instead, Flemings showcased the traits that made him one of the top guards in the 2026 NBA Draft.
His defensive instincts were particularly impressive.
The 19-year-old consistently disrupted passing lanes, got his hands on loose balls and displayed the point-of-attack defense that became his calling card at Houston.
Throughout the pre-draft process, scouts praised his competitiveness and defensive versatility, qualities that have already translated well against NBA-level competition.
Flemings contributes across the board in Hawks Summer League win Flemings also demonstrated impressive poise as a facilitator.
Rather than forcing shots, he trusted his teammates and kept the Hawks offense flowing, recording five assists while making smart decisions with the basketball.
Summer League observers have consistently highlighted Flemings maturity, defensive activity and feel for the game.
Even on nights when his shot isnt falling, his ability to rebound, defend and create offense has continued to stand out.
His performance against Indiana reinforced why Atlanta viewed him as one of the most complete guards in the draft.
Young players often experience inconsistent shooting as they adjust to the professional game, but Flemings showed he can still influence winning through hustle, effort and basketball IQ.
While the scoring numbers may not jump off the stat sheet, performances like Saturdays are often viewed as encouraging by coaches because they reveal a players willingness to contribute in every facet of the game.
If Flemings offensive consistency catches up with the rest of his skill set, the Hawks could have another versatile two-way guard capable of making an impact early in his NBA career.