Deuce's Deep Dives: How Darius Acuff Jr.'s first three games bode for Kings
Deuce's Deep Dives: How Darius Acuff Jr.'s first three games bode for Kings originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
As most people envisioned before the 2026-27 NBA season, the Kings sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with an 0-3 record.
Sacramento ranks 26th in the NBA in points per game (109.3), 28th in 3-point percentage (28 percent) and last in assists per game (21), with each loss coming by at least eight points.
Despite the lack of success, the fans and the organization have to be excited through three games with rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr.
Acuff, the No. 7 overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, has took on a brunt of the shot volume, leading the team with 24.3 field goal attempts per game. That number ranks second in the NBA, only behind Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards’ 26.
The Kings rookie is averaging 22.3 points and 4.7 assists per game, but only is making 32.9 percent of his field goal attempts and 14.8 percent of his 3-pointers.
Although Acuff has struggled with his efficiency early on in his NBA career, there appears to be no worry around his performance.
On “Deuce’s Deep Dives,” NBC Sports California’s Deuce Mason contextualized Acuff’s high shot volume to explain the optimism surrounding the 19-year-old.
“I get it – the numbers jump out but the question is: Are you actually watching the game or just staring at the box score?” Mason said. “When you watch Acuff, you should ask yourself some questions: Is he getting to his spots? What kind of looks is he generating? Is he striking the balance between looking for his and getting others involved? And for the most part, those reads are getting better, game by game against some really talented defenders.”
Acuff became the first player in NBA history to have 20 or more shot attempted in his first three games, and his 73 field goal attempts are the most through a rookie’s first three games since Kevin Durant in the 2006-07 NBA season.
Mason pointed to the defenders that Acuff has gone up against as cause for his inefficiency, including the Portland Trail Blazers’ Toumani Camara and Jrue Holiday, and the Los Angeles Clippers’ Kris Dunn and Derrick Jones Jr..
While Mason acknowledged that Acuff will have an up-and-down path, he emphasized the rookie’s conviction and underscored the importance of watching Acuff constantly improve.
“The other thing I love is that the missed shots don’t shake his confidence. He trusts his work, and he keeps going,” Mason said. “Damian Lillard praised his game too and talked about how much opportunity with the ball in his hands can help him grow, and that’s the key.
“What does Acuff do with these experiences? Confidence definitely matters. So does the willingness to learn and adapt. And I feel like Acuff has that mindset. Remember, he’s 19 years old. He’s three games into his NBA career. This is likely the least polished version of Acuff that we will see. So we can critique the mistakes, but also appreciate the journey.”
Acuff looks to be Sacramento’s centerpiece as it rebuilds for the future, and his rookie season appears to be just a taste of what the talented rookie is capable of.
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