Darius Acuff Jr. ☆ Follow

Starts 3 of 3 games · 3rd on SAC in minutes · Core role

Bars: minutes in his last 3 games · numbers: points

Situational splits: turn on Prediction tools.

Every situation, with four seasons of history →

• Podcast Locked On Kings · 5 points · 4 h ago
  • The host says the team is trying to push Acuff to be a closer (hedged: "I think"). He expects that to take time and says much of the closing will probably fall on Zach LaVine, who has not historically been a closer. at 7:49
  • Darius Acuff Jr., 19, is playing 34 to 36 minutes a night as the Kings' starting point guard and No. 1 offensive option. at 8:40
  • Acuff had 22 points and 7 assists. His shooting line is given both as 9 of 21 and as 9 of 23, with 2 of 9 from three and one turnover. at 24:47
  • The host says Acuff's shooting numbers are suspect so far. He predicts they will improve and that Acuff will hit walls during the season. at 8:46
  • Precious Achiuwa went 0 for 6 at the line. A late make was wiped out by an Acuff lane violation. The host says most of the team's missed free throws were his. at 27:21

  “Zack LaVine GOT ANGRY, but it still wasn't enough to get the Kings over the hump for their first win” · listen ↗

• Podcast Joe Mullinax, Locked On Grizzlies · Analysis · 33 h ago around the league

  The host says Darius Acuff Jr. has not been scoring efficiently, which should let Memphis force him into tough shots.

  “Memphis Grizzlies improve to 2-0 after impressive comeback win over Golden State Warriors” at 19:26 · listen ↗

• Podcast Gil's Arena · 4 points · 43 h ago
  • In his NBA debut, a loss to the Clippers, Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr. scored 12 points on 5-of-24 shooting, including 0 of 7 from three. That is the second-lowest field-goal percentage in a rookie debut in NBA history (minimum 20 attempts). at 57:18
  • Acuff and the Kings play the Blazers at home on Friday. at 57:49
  • Draymond Green (quoted): On his own show, Draymond Green said he pulled Acuff aside during a preseason game against the Warriors. He warned Acuff about possessions where only he touches the ball, saying the Kings could have a bunch of those this year and that this could lead to vets plotting against him and to bad habits. at 1:03:59
  • A panelist says Acuff should stay aggressive and keep shooting, arguing that if he drops to four or five shots he will never be allowed to take 24 again. He says Acuff is missing shots he normally makes as he adjusts. at 1:09:28

  “Sixers Erase A MASSIVE 29-Point Deficit, SGA Ends His Streak & Jaylen Brown Calls CAP On Tatum!_1 Part 2” · listen ↗

• X James Ham (@James_HamNBA) · Report · Oct 24

  2. Figured it out. After a tough shooting night in the opener, rookie Darius Acuff Jr. struggled early with his shot. He woke up in the third and started attacking the rim, getting to the line and scoring in bunches. Acuff dropped 22 of his 33 points in the second half. WOW.

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• Podcast The Mismatch host · Report · Oct 23 around the league

  Darius Acuff's debut in the Clippers-Kings game: 5-for-24, 'like 0 for 7' from three, 3 assists, 4 turnovers. A host also said he took 25 shots.

  “The Return of Loves and Loathes. Plus: A Historic Thursday Night.” at 38:07 · listen ↗

• Podcast Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective · 3 points · Oct 23
  • Brian Windhorst: In Kings vs Clippers, Darius Acuff Jr. shot 5-of-24 and started 1-of-9. Darius Garland had 16 first-quarter points, with Keegan Murray supposedly assigned to guard him. at 43:36
  • With the Kings thin at ball handler, Darius Acuff Jr is going to get more opportunity anyway. at 46:25
  • Draymond Green (reported): During a preseason game, Draymond Green talked at length with Darius Acuff Jr about a 16-dribble 'ball hog' possession. He warned Acuff that despite his green light, doing it regularly would draw side-eyes from veterans. at 45:29

  “Luka Gets Called Out As Lakers Dominate + Who Made A Game 1 Statement?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Kings · 11 points · Oct 24
  • Darius Acuff Jr. scored a career-high 33 points against the Blazers, 22 of them in the second half. at 1:06
  • Acuff came alive in the third quarter by attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line, which built his confidence. at 27:52
  • Acuff went 2 of 10 from three against the Blazers and still had some trouble with efficiency. at 28:15
  • The host predicts Acuff will be "deadly" once his three-point shot starts falling. at 28:16
  • Sabonis, Acuff, Doug Christie (reported): On Thursday the team did film study. The talking points that came out of it were about zero-pass and one-pass shot attempts, and the host says Sabonis, Acuff and Doug Christie all raised them. at 4:21
  • The host says there is no rift or jealousy between Domantas Sabonis and Acuff, and that Sabonis was not throwing a teammate under the bus. at 6:46
  • Domantas Sabonis (reported): The host spoke briefly with Domantas Sabonis before the game. In the host's paraphrase, Sabonis was caught off guard by the controversy, said he meant nothing negative and it was not a dig at Acuff, and said he would talk to the rookie to make sure he was okay. at 8:13
  • The host argues the best path this season is the Acuff-Sabonis pairing: let Acuff shoot a lot, but with many of those shots coming out of sets built around Domantas Sabonis. at 10:47
  • Darius Acuff Jr. (quoted): Acuff said that in the opener he rushed and did not play through Sabonis enough, and that this game he made better reads. He took part of the blame for the opener. at 20:11
  • The host notes Acuff is 19 years old and has played two games, and calls him the future of the Kings. at 7:27
  • Domantas Sabonis went to the bench against the Blazers, Acuff started passing all over the court. It did not produce many assists, but the host says it showed his court vision. at 18:27

  “Despite loss, Darius Acuff Jr. and Domantas Sabonis quiet the CHEMISTRY ISSUE chatter” · listen ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily host · Report · Oct 23 around the league

  Kings lost to the Clippers in a blowout. Darius Acuff Jr shot 5 of 24 and had more turnovers than assists.

  “The Thunder Are Inevitable + Philly Trusts the Process” at 29:03 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Kings · 8 points · Oct 23
  • Darius Acuff Jr. (quoted): Acuff said the offense had a lot of 'zero pass shots.' He said it starts with him as the point guard and that he takes a lot of responsibility. at 16:31
  • Darius Acuff Jr. (quoted): Acuff said he was rushing a little in the opener and needs to slow down. at 17:01
  • James Ham: On a fast break, Acuff passed up an easy look to Precious Achiuwa and got blocked. The host says it became a five-point swing, and the game started to slip away. at 17:49
  • Darius Acuff Jr. (quoted): Acuff said his chemistry with Sabonis is great and that he would like to get Sabonis more touches. at 19:31
  • James Ham: Host analysis: Acuff and Sabonis could become a dynamic duo. Acuff needs to use the pocket pass to Sabonis rolling downhill, and Sabonis' repeated screens clear space for Acuff. at 18:33
  • James Ham: The host says Acuff had three assists in the opener and hardly hit the pocket pass at all. He relays Acuff as saying there is not a huge difference between the pocket pass and the lob. at 30:12
  • James Ham: Host opinion: the season will be largely focused on star rookie Acuff, who has accepted the role of face of the franchise. at 15:13
  • James Ham: Host opinion: Cardwell could be the vertical lob threat Acuff likes and is the team's best rim protector. He may eventually lose minutes to Maxime Raynaud once Raynaud returns. at 30:22

  “Can the Kings create MORE OPPORTUNITIES for Domantas Sabonis on the offensive end?” · listen ↗

• Podcast Numbers on the Board host · Prediction · Oct 22 around the league

  Darius Acuff is expected to put up a lot of volume scoring in Sacramento.

  “LIVE From Chicago! | Numbers On The Board” at 25:05 · listen ↗

• Podcast Draymond Green (reported), via The Athletic NBA Daily · Relayed report · Oct 22 around the league

  Draymond Green told Kings guard Darius Acuff on the sideline to be careful after several possessions in which Acuff didn't pass. Amick calls Acuff already a top-25-scorer type.

  “Wolves Make a Big Statement in Miami + Luka’s Showtime Era Begins” at 39:16 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On NBA host · Analysis · Oct 22 around the league

  Darius Acuff Jr went 5-of-24 in his Kings debut. Ryan (inferred) says the Kings are clearly going to let him have the reins.

  “GAME NIGHT: Ant/LaMelo SHINE in Debut, Luka talks trash, Ty Jerome goes OFF” at 37:25 · listen ↗

• Podcast Locked On Kings · 7 points · Oct 22
  • Acuff also had 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 4 turnovers. The host called a couple of the turnovers unacceptable lapses in attention. at 3:39
  • Acuff shot 2 of 13 from the field, including 0 of 3 from three, in the first half. In the second quarter he was fouled on a three-point attempt and missed all three free throws. at 2:37
  • Host analysis: Acuff forced too many shots, missed easy ones and did not seem to be trying to involve teammates. The host sees that as the bigger issue because the Kings have no other point guard. at 4:11
  • Host analysis: Acuff was spectacular when he got downhill in the two-man game with Sabonis and struggled outside the pick-and-roll. The host wants more pick-and-roll and more passes to Sabonis, noting Acuff never hit the rolling big. at 7:31
  • The host says Acuff should share the ball more and shoot less until he gets his legs. He notes he did not see much poor shot selection. at 9:01
  • The host predicts Acuff will clean up his turnovers and won't become a turnover machine. He calls game one no reason to panic. at 4:03
  • The host thought LaVine played well defensively and had some nice defensive moments, though not perfect. He says the Kings should keep going to LaVine until Acuff gets his NBA sea legs. at 25:53

  “Darius Acuff Jr. STRUGGLES WITH SHOT in season opener, Kings fall to Clippers” · listen ↗

• X James Ham (@James_HamNBA) · Report · Oct 22

  1. Came out cold. Darius Acuff Jr. isn't shy about hoisting shots. Against the Clippers, most of them came up short. In his first NBA game, Acuff started the game 1-of-11 from the field. He never settled in, finishing with 12 points on 5-for-24 shooting to go with 3 assists, but

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• Bluesky Anthony Slater (@anthonyvslater.bsky.social) · Report · Oct 22

  Rough NBA opening night for the northern part of California. Warriors fall down 35 points to the Lakers and get blasted by 22. Across LA, the Kings are currently down 25 to the Clippers with promising rookie Darius Acuff 5/24 shooting in debut.

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• X Law Murray (@LawMurrayTheNU) · Report · Oct 21

  Kings are starting Darius Acuff Jr, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, De’Andre Hunter, Domantas Sabonis tonight at LA

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  also reported by James Ham, Locked On Kings

• Podcast All The Smoke host · Analysis · Oct 21 around the league

  Acuff (team not named) gets 'the keys over there', which the speaker sees as the best thing for his development.

  “Jalen Hurts Deserved BETTER Than This” at 1:04:25 · listen ↗

• Podcast The Athletic NBA Daily · 2 points · Oct 21
  • Darius Acuff Jr. (Kings) was top 15 in points per game in the preseason among all players and shot 42% (Derek Parker). Parker says the Kings are devoid of talent. at 44:47
  • Acuff's NBA debut was set for 'tonight' against the Clippers. The Kings then host Portland and Memphis and play at San Antonio next Tuesday. at 1:04:54

  “BIG NBA Questions: Slam N Jam LIVE!” · listen ↗

• Podcast Gil's Arena · 2 points · Oct 21
  • Simmons had been expected to provide experienced ball handling and defensive versatility next to rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. at 5:12
  • Boogie's Rookie of the Year picks are Acuff first and Yaxel Lendeborg second. He says Acuff has the most opportunity, and that Lendeborg is already NBA-ready and being called the Warriors' second-best player behind Steph Curry. at 1:05:25

  “KD Claps Back At Mat Ishbia, PG Finds His LOVE Again In Boston & SGA's MVP THREE-PEAT Chase! Part 2” · listen ↗

• Podcast Hardwood Knocks host · Analysis · Oct 21 around the league

  A host thinks Darius Acuff is guaranteed a huge role as long as he is healthy. The bigger risk, in that host's view, is that he is badly overwhelmed, not that he lacks a role.

  “2026-27 NBA Awards Predictions AND Wild Card Picks” at 37:03 · listen ↗

• Bluesky James Ham (@jameshamnba.bsky.social) · Report · Oct 21

  The latest on @lockedonkings.bsky.social -- 🏀 KINGS QUESTIONS: How much will the Ben Simmons injury impact rookie Darius Acuff Jr.? 🏀 Who is the fifth starter? 🏀 What is the deal with Malik Monk? youtu.be/J4-5phXGh_M?...

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• Podcast Locked On Kings · 5 points · Oct 21
  • James Ham: In Simmons's first preseason game he played only about eight minutes. That was Acuff's best game: 25 points, 8 assists, and 'I think' 4 rebounds. at 4:39
  • James Ham: Host analysis: Simmons let Acuff play off the ball more and was acting as 'training wheels' for the rookie. at 4:45
  • James Ham: Simmons had been at practice for three weeks and play sets were built around him. The host says Acuff's responsibilities now need a redesign and have 'just doubled'. at 8:15
  • James Ham: Host opinion: Acuff will be a front-line scoring point guard, and the host has no questions about that. at 3:44
  • James Ham: Host speculation: Nique Clifford may get a look with the second unit again, and the team might need to stagger the minutes of Acuff and Domantas Sabonis. at 8:49

  “KINGS QUESTIONS: How much will the Ben Simmons injury impact rookie Darius Acuff Jr.?” · listen ↗

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