Memphis Grizzlies forward Cameron Boozer (left) handles the ball against the Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (right) in the first half at FedEX Forum in Memphis on Sat Oct 31, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings game wrap:
Acuff’s Nine Threes Can’t Stop a Grizzly-Sized Attack; Kings get pounded 136-105 for sixth loss in a row
By Mauricio Segura
Darius Acuff Jr. gave Sacramento plenty to admire and look forward to as the future of the franchise continues to slowly develop. The rookie guard scored 38 points and sank nine three-pointers, despite the Kings falling 136-105 to the Grizzlies and dropping to 0-6. Memphis improved to 6-0, matching the best start in franchise history and remaining the NBA’s only unbeaten team.
De’Andre Hunter opened the scoring with a three-pointer, Acuff followed with a jumper, and Precious Achiuwa added a basket for a 7-0 lead. Memphis answered, with Cameron Boozer attacking inside and Isaiah Stewart supplying points off the bench. GG Jackson connected from deep late in the first quarter, helping the Grizzlies move ahead 27-21.
Memphis found another gear in the second.
Jackson made all five of his first-half three-point attempts, while Cam Spencer helped keep the offense moving. The Grizzlies built a 21-point lead, but Acuff kept Sacramento in the fight. Jackson’s perimeter shooting had threatened to put the game beyond reach before halftime, and the rookie’s response gave the Kings a chance to regroup. He scored 21 before halftime, including a pair of late three-pointers, and the Kings reduced the deficit to 66-55 at the break.
That comeback effort unraveled after halftime.
Boozer repeatedly scored near the basket, Stewart kept hitting shots, and Memphis turned an 11-point lead into a rout. Acuff continued firing, even converting a four-point play, but Sacramento could not slow the Grizzlies. Memphis won the third quarter 42-25 and carried a 108-80 advantage into the final period.
Sacramento offered one more response in the fourth.
Domantas Sabonis scored inside, Hunter contributed a basket, and Acuff added a layup and another three. A 19-5 Kings run briefly trimmed the margin to 20, but Memphis quickly restored its control. The Grizzlies had led by as many as 34 before finishing with a 31-point victory.
Acuff shot 12-for-25 overall and 9-for-14 from beyond the arc, adding five rebounds and five assists. His performance followed a 34-point outing against New Orleans, giving Sacramento a welcome bright spot during its winless start. Hunter finished with 19 points. Sabonis collected 11 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists, while Zach LaVine added 11.
Memphis had far more answers much to the dismay of it’s opponent.
Boozer finished with 27 points and nine rebounds, Stewart scored 24 on 8-for-9 shooting, and Jackson supplied 21 while making all five of his three-pointers. Spencer, starting in place of injured guards Ty Jerome and Scotty Pippen Jr., recorded 10 points and 13 assists.
Memphis shot 55.3 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range. Sacramento managed 40.7 percent overall and made only 11 of 38 threes, nine of them belonging to Acuff. The Grizzlies also outscored the Kings 54-36 in the paint and 81-20 off the bench, while winning the rebounding battle 57-43.
Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.
