The Sacramento Kings are no longer winless. For the first time this season, Sacramento will light the beam.
The Kings earned their first victory of the 2026-27 regular-season after defeating the Dallas Mavericks, 115-100, at American Airlines Arena in Dallas, Texas, on Monday, Nov. 2.
Sacramento entered the game against the Mavericks desperate for a win as panic was soon mounting for the team in California's capital.
Darius Acuff Jr. powers Kings to first win
Rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. continues to be their high-volume shot taker, and maker. Acuff tallied a game-high 25 points against Dallas, shooting 10-of-21 from the field with five rebounds and six assists. The rookie had five total turnovers in the game. Zach LaVine added 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting.
The difference in the
game was the second unit led by Malik Monk, who had been working his way back from an ankle injury. Monk's ankle seemed OK in the win against the Mavericks. Monk scored 24 points and seven assists off the bench for Sacramento. He was a plus-27 in the game. A major standout though was Leaky Black with 12 points, going 4-of-6 on 3-point field goals, adding four steals.
The Kings were dialed in offensively connecting on 44% on 3-point attempts, while shooting 52% from the field. But defensively, the Kings had put a lid on the Phoenix's basket. The Suns were held to 21% from 3-point distance. They shot 41% as a team.
Sacramento was locked in on the Mavericks' second-year star Cooper Flagg, who scored 17 points on 3-of-19 from the field. Walter Clayton Jr. provided energy for Dallas scoring 20 points off the bench.
The Kings end their road trip on a high note as they get on a flight to get back to California. Sacramento hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sacramento Kings get first win of the season, Darius Acuff Jr. scores 25
