Darius Acuff Jr. delivered a 22-point performance anchored by two fourth-quarter three-pointers as the Sacramento Kings held off the Milwaukee Bucks 95-89 to finish the California Classic at 3-0. The rookie point guard, the No. 7 pick in June’s NBA draft, showed a marked improvement from his debut, shooting 7-of-19 from the floor and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc. His early burst, going 3-of-4 overall and 2-of-3 from three in the first six minutes, helped the Kings build a 28-22 lead after the opening quarter and a 55-48 edge at halftime.
Marquel Sutton paced the Kings with 24 points, providing the scoring punch that kept Sacramento ahead for most of the night. Fellow rookie Dylan Cardwell contributed a double-double, posting 12 points and 12 rebounds, while also adding four steals and four blocks. Nique Clifford rounded out the balanced effort with eight points, six rebounds and two steals. Together, the trio demonstrated the depth and versatility that the Kings have relied on throughout the tournament.
Acuff’s shooting efficiency was a clear contrast to his Summer League debut a day earlier, when he tallied 25 points on 9-of-29 shooting and just 1-of-9 from three-point range against the Brooklyn Nets. In the Bucks game, his shot selection improved markedly, as he went 7-of-19 from the field and 4-of-9 from three. The quick start, highlighted by a mid-range jumper followed by a three-pointer, set the tone for Sacramento’s early lead and forced the Bucks to play catch-up.
Cardwell’s impact was felt most on the defensive end, as his stat line of 12 points and 12 rebounds, combined with four steals and four blocks, underscored the Kings’ emphasis on aggressive defense. His comments about “defense travels” reflect a team-first mindset that has been a hallmark of Sacramento’s Summer League run, building on a recent championship in 2021 and a second title within six years.
For Milwaukee, Zach Austin led the Bucks with 17 points, while Kam Jones added 14 and rookie guard Brayden Burries contributed 12. The Bucks rallied from a 16-point deficit in the third quarter to narrow the gap, but they were unable to overturn the lead, leaving them with a 1-2 record in the tournament.
Looking ahead, the Kings open their next Summer League matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers in Las Vegas on Thursday. If Acuff can sustain the shooting rhythm he displayed against Milwaukee, he could solidify the point-guard role for a roster that still seeks veteran leadership. The upcoming game will test whether Sacramento’s blend of youthful scoring and aggressive defense can translate into another championship run.
Sacramento Kings 
