Darius Acuff Jr.’s NBA debut was a rough one in Sacramento’s 121-96 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, and the numbers tell the whole story. The Kings’ rookie point guard finished 5-for-24 from the field, missed all seven of his 3-point attempts, and struggled to turn open chances into points.
Sacramento opened the 2026-2027 season with an offensive grind, shooting 42% overall and 29% from deep. Acuff was right in the middle of that sluggish night, but his misses stood out most. He found ways to separate, got to the rim, and carved out good looks inside, yet the finish just never came.
The volume of those misses landed him in an ugly place in league history. After the game, the Real App pointed out that Acuff’s 19 misses are the most by a rookie in his debut since the merger. His 20.8% field goal percentage was also the second-worst ever in a rookie debut for a player taking at least 20 shots.
Still, the Kings saw some encouraging signs beyond the box score. The No. 7 overall pick was creating separation and attacking the paint, even if the layups, floaters, and short finishes didn’t drop. That kind of shot creation is part of why Sacramento believes the scoring will come.
There was also some value on the other end. Acuff was active defensively, something he and the team had emphasized all offseason, and he led the Kings with three steals. He held up in half-court defensive situations as well.
General manager Scott Perry also addressed the expectations around Acuff before the season, telling SacTown Sports’ Radio that the Kings are prepared to deal with the “bumps and bruises.” Perry said the rookie will have plenty on his shoulders, but the team is willing to work with him as he settles in.
This kind of inefficiency hasn’t been limited to one night, either. Acuff has already had some sub-50% shooting performances in both NBA Summer League and preseason, but that’s not unusual for a high-volume scoring guard. The source noted that players like Trae Young and Darius Garland had similar early-career struggles.
For Sacramento, the hope is simple: this is the floor, not the norm. Heading into the Kings’ first home game of the season, Acuff will get another chance to turn those missed bunnies into points and make good on the matchups in front of him. The expectation is that he can take advantage of either Lillard or Morant and help get Sacramento moving in the right direction.
In Other News...
Mavericks Suddenly Have A Real Shot At A Guard Fans Know
Walter Clayton Jr. hit the waiver wire just ahead of the roster deadline, and a few teams are already circling. Among them are the Mavericks and the Kings, two clubs with reason to take a closer look at a guard whose availability came at an unexpected moment and whose next move could shape the early part of his career.
Dallas looks like a particularly clean fit because of its open two-way spot and the familiarity it already has with Clayton, but Sacramento is in the mix as well. For a player weighing playing time against long-term fit, that kind of choice can matter a lot, and the next step will come down to where he sees the clearest path to minutes and development. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Already Have A Brutal Opening Night Problem
The early days of training camp were supposed to be about sorting out roles and building momentum, but Sacramento is already dealing with a roster headache that could linger into opening night. Ben Simmons is out for the season with an Achilles tear, and the list of other players dealing with injuries or soreness keeps growing, leaving the Kings to piece together a group that still looks unsettled before the schedule has even started.
Maxime Raynaud, Dylan Cardwell, Precious Achiuwa, Malik Monk and Keegan Murray are all among the names on the injury report in one form or another, and that kind of uncertainty puts real pressure on a team that was counting on depth to carry it through the long haul. For Sacramento, the concern is not just who misses opening night, but how much of the rotation might already be compromised before the first game is even played. [Read more 🡒]
Mark Jones Sees One Big Question Hanging Over The Kings Core
The Kings season outlook still comes back to the same cluster of core pieces, and Mark Jones spent time on The Carmichael Dave Show laying out why. Sacramentos play-by-play voice pointed to Darius Acuff Jr. as a lead guard who has to find the right balance between scoring and playmaking, while also noting Keegan Murrays role on the defensive end and his need to get back on track as a shooter.
Jones also made clear that Domantas Sabonis remains central to everything Sacramento wants to do, with his health and productivity looming as major factors. The larger question, from Jones view, is how those pieces mesh and whether their development and fit can lift the Kings to the level they want to reach this season. [Read more 🡒]