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Rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. is still searching for efficiency, but he has already found a way to show off every other facet of his game.<\/p>\n
Acuff had 19 points, seven assists, two steals and one blocked shot to lead the Kings to a 91-85 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in their NBA Summer League opener Thursday at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n
Acuf was happy with the win but unsatisfied with his performance after going 6 of 20 from the field and 3 of 9 from 3-point range with four turnovers.<\/p>\n
\u201cGotta be better,\u201d Acuff, the No. 7 pick in June\u2019s NBA draft, told ESPN after the game. \u201cPlaying terrible, too inefficient. Got to make more shots in a row and get my teammates involved more.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked how he would go about doing that, Acuff said: \u201cJust getting better, staying in the gym. Don\u2019t get mad about one game. Just keep going and I\u2019m going to be better. I know that about myself, but more than anything we got the win.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emanuel Sharp came off the bench to score a game-high 21 points for the Kings (1-0). Dylan Cardwell had 15 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots. Nique Clifford scored 13 points and Jonathan Mogbo had 12.<\/p>\n
Rookie first-round draft pick Alex Karaban was cleared to make his summer league debut after missing the California Classic due to a right ankle sprain. Karaban went scoreless on 0-of-6 shooting in 24 minutes.<\/p>\n
Second-year center Maxime Raynaud missed the California Classic while playing for the French national team. Raynaud, who was an All-Rookie Second Team selection last season, has been added to the roster after joining the team in Las Vegas, but the Kings chose to rest him Thursday.<\/p>\n
Cam Christie scored 15 points to lead the Clippers (0-1). Baba Miller had 12. Keaton Wagler, the fifth pick in the draft, was held to seven points on 1-of-7 shooting.<\/p>\n
The Kings faced the Clippers in the second of two featured contests featuring marquee rookie matchups. In the first game, the Washington Wizards beat the Utah Jazz 92-88 with No. 1 draft pick AJ Dybantsa scoring 27 points to outduel No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson, who scored 24 points.<\/p>\n
The Clippers led 22-20 at the end of the first quarter. Acuff was held to three points after going 1 of 5 from the field and 1 of 4 from 3-point range in the opening period. Wagler had yet to attempt a shot.<\/p>\n
Acuff found a rhythm in the second quarter, demonstrating his three-level scoring ability while showing off his court vision with some beautiful assists. He hit a midrange jumper, knocked down a 3-pointer and finished at the rim while driving through traffic and drawing a foul.<\/p>\n
The Kings led 44-41 at the halftime break. Acuff had 12 points and four assists. Cardwell had 11 points and seven rebounds.<\/p>\n
Sacramento led 70-58 at the end of the third quarter and went up by as many as 16 in the fourth. The Clippers staged a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to six with four minutes remaining, but Sharp hit a big 3-pointer and drew a three-shot foul to help the Kings hold on for the win.<\/p>\n
Up next<\/p>\n
The Kings will get a good look at Dybantsa when they play the Wizards at 5 p.m. Sunday at Thomas & Mack Center.<\/p>\n
Dybantsa was good in Thursday\u2019s game against the Jazz, but he could have been even better after going 7 of 18 from the field and 0 of 5 from 3-point range.<\/p>\n
Upcoming schedule<\/p>\n
7\/12 vs. Washington Wizards, 5 p.m.<\/p>\n
7\/14 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 3 p.m.<\/p>\n
7\/15 vs. Boston Celtics, 5 p.m.<\/p>\n
This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 10:38 PM.<\/p>\n
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