Kings top Clippers as rookie showdowns highlight Day 1 of NBA Summer League
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.
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.
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.
“Gotta be better,” Acuff, the No. 7 pick in June’s NBA draft, told ESPN after the game. “Playing terrible, too inefficient. Got to make more shots in a row and get my teammates involved more.”
When asked how he would go about doing that, Acuff said: “Just getting better, staying in the gym. Don’t get mad about one game. Just keep going and I’m going to be better. I know that about myself, but more than anything we got the win.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Kings led 44-41 at the halftime break. Acuff had 12 points and four assists. Cardwell had 11 points and seven rebounds.
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.
Up next
The Kings will get a good look at Dybantsa when they play the Wizards at 5 p.m. Sunday at Thomas & Mack Center.
Dybantsa was good in Thursday’s 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.
Upcoming schedule
7/12 vs. Washington Wizards, 5 p.m.
7/14 vs. Brooklyn Nets, 3 p.m.
7/15 vs. Boston Celtics, 5 p.m.
This story was originally published July 9, 2026 at 10:38 PM with the headline "Kings top Clippers as rookie showdowns highlight Day 1 of NBA Summer League."
