The Sacramento Kings didn’t get the result they wanted in Monday’s preseason opener, falling 127-103 to the Los Angeles Lakers, but there was plenty in the performance to like from their young core.
Darius Acuff Jr., the team’s top draft pick, scored 19 points and looked comfortable operating from different spots on the floor. He was efficient, effective, and gave Sacramento another encouraging offensive display to take out of an otherwise lopsided night.
The biggest spark, though, came from Nique Clifford. The second-year forward led all scorers with 23 points after coming off the bench, and he didn’t need much time to prove he could make an impact.
Clifford opened quietly with just six points in the first half, but he found his rhythm late in the third quarter. That’s when he started attacking, getting to the free-throw line and finishing inside. He drew 10 foul shots and made six of them, a sign that he was forcing the issue and staying aggressive.
He also added nine rebounds, finishing just behind backup big man Dylan Cardwell, who grabbed 10 for the team lead.
That kind of all-around production is exactly what Sacramento wants from Clifford heading into the regular season. He’s expected to have a major role off the bench, and his late-season surge last year showed why the organization is so interested in what he can bring.
In his final 28 appearances, Clifford averaged 13.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.4 steals. His defensive jump stood out, too, as he began using his length to bother opponents more consistently.
That stretch included a strong run after the All-Star break, when he logged two or more steals in nine of his first 15 games. On Feb. 23 against the Memphis Grizzlies, he piled up six steals, part of a stat line that also included 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.
That performance put Clifford in rare company. According to SacTown Sports, he became just the fourth Sacramento Kings rookie in the Sacramento era (1985-present) to post a 10-5-5-5 game, and the first since DeMarcus Cousins in 2011.
He also came through in Sacramento’s opening win in California, hitting the go-ahead 3-pointer to seal a 79-76 victory over the Brooklyn Nets. Clifford later spoke about staying locked in after struggling from the field before that shot.
The Kings will see the Lakers again on Thursday at 10:30 p.m.
In Other News...
Kings Rookie Darius Acuff Jr. Sounds Alarm After Ugly Lakers Loss
The Kings preseason meeting with the Lakers offered an early look at where Sacramento stands as camp moves forward, and rookie Darius Acuff Jr. was one of the few bright spots on a rough night. Acuff scored 19 points while playing with the aggression the Kings need from a young guard, but the game also showed the cost of learning on the fly, with five turnovers and a defense that never found much footing against a Lakers attack led by Luka Doncics 21 points.
For a Kings team still trying to sort out rotations and identity, the loss carried more weight than a typical October box score. Sacramento is heading into its next preseason game with defensive questions still hanging over the roster, and theres a larger layer of uncertainty around the frontcourt as possible changes involving Domantas Sabonis continue to loom. For a rookie trying to carve out space and a team trying to stabilize before the games count, the margin for sloppy play is already looking thin. [Read more 🡒]
Darius Acuff Gave Kings Fans One Reason To Feel Better Fast
The Kings did not get the result they wanted in their first preseason game, falling 127-103 to the Lakers while their shooting and ball security lagged behind. Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine were limited to the first half, leaving plenty of room for the younger players to soak up minutes, and rookie Darius Acuff Jr. was one of the few bright spots on a night when Sacramento needed one.
Acuff finished with 19 points on 47 percent shooting and four assists in 27 minutes, a solid step forward from his Summer League showing and the kind of outing that gives a struggling exhibition roster some immediate hope. Nique Clifford added 23 points and Dylan Cardwell chipped in nine points and 10 rebounds, but Acuffs sharpest work stood out because it suggested the Kings may already have a young guard worth watching closely as preseason rolls on. [Read more 🡒]
Kings May Have Finally Found Hope At Point Guard
Darius Acuff got his first NBA start at point guard and gave the Kings a glimpse of what they have been hoping to find for years. Sacramento has struggled to settle the position in recent seasons, and the seventh overall pick was brought in with the idea that he could grow into the job. Against that backdrop, Acuffs line stood out for more than just the points, with two rebounds, four assists, a steal and a block adding to a debut that looked composed in key stretches.
The performance was not spotless, of course, as turnovers and shooting inefficiency were part of the package. Still, for a team that has spent so long searching for stability at the spot, even an imperfect showing from a rookie starter carries real weight. The next step is the one the Kings care about most, and Acuffs first turn running the offense at least gave them a reason to believe the answer might already be in-house. [Read more 🡒]