Sacramento swept the California Classic behind Darius Acuff Jr.’s scoring surge and lockdown defense. Discover how relentless comebacks and standout two-way play fueled the Kings' undefeated summer start.
The Sacramento Kings hosted the California Classic at the Golden 1 Center, and their youth protected home court by winning all three games with hard-nosed defense and timely shotmaking.
Sacramento faced the Brooklyn Nets without Mikel Brown Jr. on Saturday, and Nique Clifford hit the game-winning three to complete a 10-point comeback in the fourth quarter. The team faced the Golden State Warriors (Blue) without Darius Acuff Jr. and Clifford, and its defense locked down the Warriors en route to a six-point win (91-85). Acuff Jr. dropped 23 points to close out the California Classic against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Kings will have a few days off before traveling to Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Summer League. They will have the opportunity to bring home their third summer league championship.
Acuff Jr. Adjusting to NBA Pace
Sacramento's seventh overall pick struggled in his first outing on Saturday. He scored an inefficient 25 points on 9-for-29 from the field, including 1-for-9 from three.
Acuff Jr. admitted he was being sped up throughout the game, which he wasn’t used to. However, he still got to his spots on the court, meaning the shots needed to start falling.
His 23 points against the Bucks were inefficient (7-for-19), but his three-point shooting improved. He made four of his nine attempts.
Late-Game Defense Saved Kings
The Kings often found themselves down by double digits in the California Classic. An increase in defensive intensity became the foundation of the team's comebacks.
Stringing together quality defensive possessions is what led to their 10-point comeback against the Warriors. Sacramento stripped ball-handlers, grabbed crucial rebounds and made the right rotations to muck up Golden State's offense.
Emanuel Sharp's Range is Real
Sharp shot 37.6% from beyond the arc in college, and while he struggled in the California Classic, his three-point shooting played a significant role in the Kings' comebacks. One of his threes throughout the Classic came from the Kings' logo.
His range can easily earn him a spot in Sacramento's rotation next season, especially with his defensive tenacity. Sharpe's veteran experience in college and three-point shooting are helping him contribute at a high level.
Sacramento May Have Hit on its Two-Ways
The Kings signed Jonathan Mogbo and Adam Flagler to two-way contracts before the California Classic. What's impressive about the two is their defensive intensity.
Flagler guarded the perimeter, and Mogbo showed that he can protect the rim. Mogbo blocked five shots in Sacramento's California Classic opener against the Nets.
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