Kingston Flemings shines for Atlanta in first career start

It was clear throughout the game that Flemings was already central to Atlanta's offense. Head coach Quin Snyder had his squad running drive-and-kicks consistently throughout the night, giving Flemings the opportunity to both showcase his passing under pressure and demonstrate the touch that makes him a threat at the rim.

From taking and making the first shot of the game to kicking out to an open Luguentz Dort for a straightaway three to keep Atlanta in control in the fourth quarter, Flemings had his fingerprints all over the Hawks' offense in his maiden start.

CJ McCollum steps aside for rookie

Importantly, Flemings was handed the start over veteran point guard CJ McCollum – and by all accounts, the switch was McCollum's own idea.

Members of both the Hawks' and the Wizards' broadcast crews reported during the game that McCollum, who went the other way in the trade that sent Young to D.C., opted to step aside to give Flemings the start.

It's an impressive gesture from such a tenured player, and it certainly looks to have paid off. 

For his own part, McCollum didn't miss a beat off the bench, putting up 15 points and five assists to antagonize Washington's second unit while boosting the rookie to shine on center stage.

The season, not to mention his career, may still be young, but Flemings is already starting to look like the point guard of the future for the Hawks. If he keeps taking the opportunities he's given like this, the 19-year-old will certainly make a name for himself not only in Atlanta, but across the basketball world as yet another standout from the stellar 2026 draft class.