Darius Acuff Jr. Explodes for 33 Points in Kings Home Debut

Darius Acuff Jr. needed only two NBA games to show why Sacramento invested a top-10 pick in him. The rookie guard erupted for 33 points Friday night in his home debut at Golden 1 Center, although the Kings fell 128-120 to the Portland Trail Blazers. Acuff shot 10-for-26 from the field and 11-for-12 at the free-throw line while adding four assists in 36 minutes.

The performance was a major bounce-back after a difficult NBA debut. Acuff attacked throughout the night and scored both of his three-pointers during Sacramento’s fourth-quarter comeback attempt. Domantas Sabonis added a huge triple-double with 27 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists, but Portland took control by opening the second half with a 15-0 run and outscoring Sacramento 44-26 in the third quarter. Deni Avdija led the Trail Blazers with 26 points.

Acuff was not interested in celebrating the individual number afterward, saying the performance meant little without a victory. That response may be as encouraging for Sacramento as the 33 points. The seventh overall pick entered the league with a reputation as an aggressive scoring guard, and Friday offered the first NBA evidence that his game can translate quickly. Sacramento is 0-2, but a rookie producing 33 points in his second professional game gives the Kings an early building block worth watching.