Hawks Rookie Kingston Flemings Suspended One Game for Elbowing Bryce McGowens

The NBA just handed Atlanta Hawks rookie Kingston Flemings a one-game suspension for intentionally elbowing New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the head.

You have to respect the sheer audacity of a 19-year-old deciding the best way to handle a blowout loss is to turn a basketball game into a mixed martial arts exhibition. That is not veteran leadership, but it is definitely a choice.

"Shams Charania reported the suspension, noting the elbow was intentional."

The incident stems from Atlanta's Halloween nightmare against New Orleans, where the Hawks got completely run off the floor in a 121-99 shellacking. When your team is down by 20-plus points, the frustration tends to boil over, but usually, guys just take a bad transition three instead of aiming for a skull.

It is a brutal momentum killer for Flemings. The rookie point guard was just starting to find his rhythm, coming off a career night against the Miami Heat earlier in the week. Now he gets to watch from the hotel while his game check stays in the league office.

If you are looking at the board for Tuesday's slate, this throws a wrench into Atlanta's backcourt rotation. The Hawks are already struggling to string together consistent defensive stops, and losing a high-energy guard like Flemings forces them to dig deeper into a bench that has not exactly been lighting the world on fire.

Flemings will serve his timeout when the Hawks travel to face the Indiana Pacers. Atlanta desperately needs a win to get their season back on track, and they will have to find a way to do it without their fiery rookie crossing the line.