Sacramento Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr. put up another 30-point game and joined some elite company in the history books in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.
Acuff finished with 34 points, 14 assists and six rebounds in the 132-120 loss on the road at the Smoothie King Center. He shot 13-for-26 from the field, including 3-for-11 from 3-point range, in 40 minutes, 31 seconds as the starting point guard.
The seventh overall pick became one of four teenagers in history to record at least 30 points and 10 assists in a game (19 years, 347 days), joining LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Stephon Marbury. He is the first Kings rookie to do so since Kenny Smith in 1988.
"He is learning how to lead," Kings coach Doug Christie said. "He is learning how to pick
and choose his spots — (14) assists is a great number. I want to see upward of 10 from him on a night-to-night basis. He started out, got people involved, knocked down shots. Then, just the poise that he shows in all of the moments. The kid wants to win, and we're going to lead him there."
34 POINTS, 14 DIMES FOR DARIUS ACUFF JR. TONIGHT 🔥
— NBA (@NBA) October 30, 2026
▪️ Fourth teenager in NBA history to record 30/10, joining LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Stephon Marbury
▪️ First Kings rookie to record 30/10 since Kenny Smith (1988)
▪️ Ties Tyreke Evans (2010) for the Kings rookie scoring… pic.twitter.com/KAVDJqApW4
Acuff is averaging 24 points, 6.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 37.8% from the field in five appearances with the Kings. He leads the rookie class in scoring and assists and is one of eight players in the league with multiple 30-point games.
The 6-foot-2 Acuff is on a sensational scoring run with the Kings after getting the ultimate green light to shoot from Christie. He has totaled 120 points, the second-most among all Kings rookies through five games, trailing only Oscar Robertson.
While Acuff has emerged as a key player, the Kings have struggled on the court after dropping their first five games of the season. The group will look to bounce back Saturday in Memphis.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Kings' Darius Acuff Jr. joins LeBron, Luka in history after latest performance
