The Sacramento Kings are going to be one of, if not the downright worst team in the NBA this season. But they at least have some slivers of hope to hold on to. For one, rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr., whom they drafted with the seventh overall pick of the 2026 NBA Draft, is already showing so much star potential through just the first few games of what should be a long career in the association.
Despite the Kings’ 132-120 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday, which kept them winless through five games, Acuff stuffed the stat sheet for his best game thus far in the NBA. In 34 minutes of play, Acuff put up 34 points, six rebounds, 14 assists, and one steal, and he also shot the ball well, finishing with 13 made baskets on 26 shot attempts.
Acuff became just the fourth rookie in NBA history to have at least 30 points and 10 assists in a single game within the first five games of their career, as pointed out on the NBC Sports broadcast. The Kings rookie joined the likes of Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas and current Washington Wizards floor general Trae Young as the only players in league history to have accomplished this feat.
https://t.co/3ufJngSoVe pic.twitter.com/00ncNQDq69
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) October 30, 2026
Moreover, by recording his second 30-point night, Acuff became just the ninth player in NBA history to record multiple 30-point games through the first five games of their NBA career — joining Shaquille O’Neal, Wilt Chamberlain, Allen Iverson, Walt Bellamy, Dan Issel, Terry Dischinger, Michael Brooks, and John Drew in that exclusive club.
Gosh Darius is good pic.twitter.com/Uu1mN7dFNK
— Oh No He Didn't
(@ohnohedidnt24) October 30, 2026
The Kings, of course, keep on losing games, but Acuff being this good already this early is a much-needed beacon of hope for this floundering franchise. He needs to work on his shooting efficiency, as he’s currently just shooting 37.9% from the field, but that should come with time. After all, he’s only 19 years of age, and the sky is the limit for the youngster.
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