Darius Acuff Jr. is finding his footing with the Sacramento Kings.
According to a story by Connor Goodson at HawgSports, the former Arkansas guard has played two California Classic Summer League games and is showing early signs of adjusting to the professional level.
His debut against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday was rocky.
The former Razorback finished with 25 points but shot just 9 of 29 from the field and 1 of 9 from three-point range across 30 minutes.
He added 4 assists, a rebound, a steal and a turnover in his first competitive action since the NCAA Tournament’s Sweet 16 in late March.
“It was a bit rough to start,” Acuff told reporters after the game, per the story. “I was moving too fast. Nobody was making me move that fast. It got easier over the game, probably around midway through the second quarter, I figured it out a little bit.”
Even so, Acuff made the right play late, finding Nique Clifford for a game-winning three at the buzzer rather than forcing his own look in a 79-76 Kings win.
Acuff delivers clutch shot in win over Bucks
Two days later against Milwaukee, the Hogs’ former standout looked much more like himself.
Acuff scored 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting and 4 of 9 from deep, including a go-ahead three with 22 seconds left that pushed the Kings’ lead to 93-87 in a 95-89 win. He also added 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 blocks and a steal.
“From the start, I just slowed down more,” Acuff told ESPN’s Mark Jones following the win, per the report. “I came out with a little more poise, tried to get people involved more and slowed the game down a little bit.”
Next up for Acuff and Kings
Sacramento shifts to Las Vegas next and faces the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday at 10 p.m. on ESPN.
The Kings went 2-0 in California Classic play with Acuff in the lineup.
Key Takeaways
- Acuff shot just 9 of 29 in his Summer League debut against Brooklyn but still helped the Kings win 79-76 by finding Nique Clifford for a game-winning three instead of forcing his own shot.
- He bounced back with 22 points on better efficiency against Milwaukee, including a dagger three with 22 seconds left to seal a 95-89 Kings win.
- With California Classic play finished at 2-0, Acuff and Sacramento head to Las Vegas to face the Clippers on Thursday night at 10 p.m. on ESPN.
