Darius Acuff Jr. delivered an impressive first outing in a Sacramento Kings uniform, leading a spirited comeback as the Kings erased an 18-point deficit to defeat the Brooklyn Nets 79-76 in their opening game of the California Classic Summer League.
The No. 7 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft finished with a game-high 25 points and four assists, recovering from an inefficient start to take control when his team needed him most. While Acuff struggled with his shot early, he settled into the game and helped spark Sacramento's rally after the Nets appeared to be in complete control.
Brooklyn built an 18-point lead midway through the second quarter, but the Kings responded with a 27-9 run to draw level by halftime. The Nets regained a double-digit advantage late in the fourth quarter, only for Sacramento to mount another comeback, closing the game on a 19-6 run.
The decisive moment came with just five seconds remaining. Acuff attracted the defense before making the unselfish pass to Nique Clifford, who calmly knocked down the go-ahead three-pointer to complete the comeback and seal the victory.
After the game, Acuff admitted he was playing too fast during the opening stages but felt more comfortable as the contest progressed. Rather than forcing a final shot, the rookie said he trusted Clifford to deliver after spotting the open opportunity, a decision that proved to be the winning play.
Clifford finished with 14 points, while Emanuel Sharp added 13. Center Dylan Cardwell also made his presence felt with eight points, eight rebounds and four blocks as Sacramento's defense tightened in the closing stages.
For Brooklyn, Egor Demin led the way with 23 points and seven rebounds, but the Nets were undone by 20 turnovers and could not withstand Sacramento's relentless finish.
The comeback victory gave the Kings a winning start to their California Classic campaign, but it was Acuff's resilience that stood out most. Despite early shooting struggles, the rookie remained aggressive, produced when it mattered and showed the poise to make the game-winning decision instead of chasing the spotlight himself.
