NEW ORLEANS — Atlanta Hawks rookie Kingston Flemings achieved another professional milestone Saturday night, recording the first ejection of his NBA career during a 121–99 loss to the Pelicans.
Flemings was dismissed with 3:04 remaining in the fourth quarter after elbowing New Orleans guard Bryce McGowens following a blocked layup attempt.
Officials reviewed the incident before ejecting the rookie, who finished with 12 points, six assists and four steals.
His performance therefore contained several promising statistical indicators and one especially unpromising disciplinary indicator.
The ejection came after an altercation that briefly drew players and coaches from both teams into the situation, transforming a game already largely decided into an unexpected seminar on professional behavior.
Rookies normally measure their progress through first baskets, first starts, career highs and the gradual disappearance of the words *he's still learning* from scouting reports.
Flemings has now added a less conventional first.
An ejection does not appear in the scoring average, cannot be converted into an assist and offers little practical benefit beyond an early opportunity to locate the locker room.
The Hawks were already struggling offensively, shooting poorly from three-point range as New Orleans built a commanding lead.
For Flemings, the incident adds an important lesson to an NBA education that is still in its opening weeks.
There are several ways to make an impression during a road game.
Not all of them require staying until the final buzzer.
