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Kingston Flemings Shines As Hawks Rookie Dominates Miami
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- Kingston Flemings Shines As Hawks Rookie Dominates Miami
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Atlanta Hawks have a new star in the making, and he made his presence felt on Wednesday night. Kingston Flemings, the team's No. 8 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, put up a massive line against the Miami Heat. That is a complete game for a first-year player facing a tough defensive team. He shot 9-of-12 from the field and knocked down three 3-pointers.
Top Pick Shows Poise in Debut
While Flemings stole the show in Atlanta, the top pick of the draft also made noise elsewhere. AJ Dybantsa of the Washington Wizards scored 19 points in his very first NBA game. Sports Illustrated reported that the No. 1 overall pick shot 8-of-12 from the floor against Cleveland. He added two rebounds and two assists to his box score. Dybantsa lived up to the hype by not letting the pressure get to him in his debut. His efficiency was key, as he only turned the ball over twice.
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Warriors Rookie Lights Up the Scoreboard
Not every high pick had a smooth night, though some still put up big numbers. Yaxel Lendeborg of the Golden State Warriors scored 26 points against Minnesota. Per Sports Illustrated, the No. 11 pick grabbed nine rebounds and recorded a steal and a block. He shot 11-of-20 from the field and hit two 3-pointers. However, he also had seven turnovers, which is a lot to live with for a young player.
The rest of the rookie class also had moments to prove themselves on Wednesday. Caleb Wilson of the Chicago Bulls scored 20 points with six rebounds and four assists. Morez Johnson Jr. and Brayden Burries both reached double figures with 10 points each. Trevon Brazile and Meleek Thomas added 11 and 10 points respectively. He did everything required to help his team win. The Hawks have a player who can create his own shot and defend multiple positions.
