California Classic Day 3: Acuff, Kings go 3-0 at California Classic

California Classic Day 3: Acuff scores 22, Kings go 3-0

As the California Classic came to a close on Monday night, Sacramento Kings fans got one more sneak peek at seventh-overall pick Darius Acuff Jr., who took the floor for his second appearance of the summer.

Acuff, who scored 25 points in Saturday’s California Classic opener, sat out of Sunday’s game to avoid playing in back-to-back contests.

The Arkansas product took the floor on Monday against fellow top-ten pick Brayden Burries and the Milwaukee Bucks, with this showdown of 2026 NBA Draft picks acting as a final tune-up before Las Vegas Summer League tips off later this week.

After opening Saturday’s game against Brooklyn by missing eight of his first nine shots, Acuff settled in early against Milwaukee, scoring eight points (three-of-five shooting) in the first quarter as Sacramento jumped out to a 13-point lead.

Acuff ended the first half with 14 points in just 15 minutes, while forward Marquel Sutton added to his impressive California Classic stat sheet with 13 points of his own as the Kings maintained control heading into the break.

Saturday’s game saw Acuff play, in his words, a tad rushed and out of his comfort zone. You could tell the rookie felt much more comfortable on Monday by getting to his spots, attacking the paint, converting triples, and finding his teammates on the break.

Acuff drains his second triple of the game 😤 pic.twitter.com/3xYZthpoG0

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) July 7, 2026

As was the case during their first two California Classic games, Sacramento found itself in a tight contest in crunch time

Milwaukee chipped away at the Kings’ 16-point lead as the night went on, eventually taking its first lead with less than four minutes to play.

With the game on the line, Acuff came up big, scoring five points–including a step-back triple with 23 seconds left that served as the final dagger–while Dylan Cardwell also had some big moments to put things away.

Sacramento ended the night shooting 15-of-35 (43%) from three-point range, with Acuff and Sutton drilling four each during a 95-89 win that cemented a perfect 3-0 California Classic for the Summer League Beam Team.

All eyes were on Acuff in this one, and the seventh pick delivered in the clutch once again.

While Saturday’s game saw Sacramento’s new franchise point guard make the smart pass to Nique Clifford during the final seconds, Monday’s game saw him take matters into his own hands by converting a big triple that put the game out of reach and ignited the home crowd one last time until the fall.

What stood out about Acuff’s final shot was that he struggled in the final minutes, shooting 2-for-8 from the floor in the fourth quarter. Still, he wasn’t deterred from making another attempt, even while dodging double teams and blitzes.

He wasn’t passive, wasn’t hesitant, and splashed a step-back triple that Kings fans hope to see for years to come.

“He’s a phenomenal point guard, a phenomenal player. Generational player, Dylan Cardwell said of Acuff following Monday’s game. “I haven’t played with a player yet where they’re blitzing him every single play.”

ACUFF WITH THE DAGGER 🗡️ pic.twitter.com/PGMx8FwRx4

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) July 7, 2026

Rounding Out The Box Score

LSU product Marquel Sutton is making quite a case for an NBA roster spot.

The forward followed up a 16-point, eight-rebound performance against Golden State on Sunday by scoring a team-high 24 points on six-of-14 shooting (four-of-eight from downtown) to go along with six rebounds, one steal, and two blocks over 32 minutes.

“Just waiting for my turn and my opportunity,” Sutton said of his performance this summer. “Taking it day by day. A lot of people tell me not to get too high or get too low. I’m grateful to be on a team like this.”

Dylan Cardwell continues to prove he can rebound and protect the rim at a high level, finishing the night with 12 rebounds, 12 points, four steals, and four blocks over just 25 minutes.

Cardwell said this summer marks “a new start to Sacramento Kings basketball,” and that going 3-0 at Golden 1 Center was important after several blowout losses at home during the 2025-26 season.

The undrafted big man out of Auburn says he will be working on his free-throw shot during Summer League. Cardwell went one-for-two from the line on Monday, one game removed from a one-for-six showing against Brooklyn on Sunday.

Cardwell shot 51 percent from the line during his rookie season.

Nique lob to Cardwell 🤩 pic.twitter.com/PtMN3d0tW3

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) July 7, 2026

Injury Update

29th overall pick and UConn product Alex Karaban sustained a right ankle sprain during team practice on Thursday, July 2. Karaban will be reevaluated in one week, around when Las Vegas Summer League action begins at UNLV.

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What is the next Sacramento Kings Offseason Event?

With the California Classic in the rearview, the Sacramento Kings will head to the desert for the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League, with action set to tip off on Thursday night at UNLV.

Sacramento is set to face the fifth-overall pick, Keaton Wagler, and the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Sactown Sports will be ON SITE in Las Vegas ALL WEEK LONG from July 12-19th! Be sure to remain locked into Sactown Sports for your Sacramento Kings Summer League news, analysis, and much more!

Upcoming Sacramento Kings Offseason Schedule

• Thursday, July 9th – Sunday, July 19th – NBA Las Vegas Summer League
• August TBD – 2026-27 NBA Schedule release
• Late September – NBA training camps begin

2026 Sacramento Kings Las Vegas Summer League Schedule

• Thursday, July 9: vs. Los Angeles Clippers (8 p.m. PT)
• Sunday, July 12: vs. Washington Wizards (5 p.m. PT)
• Tuesday, July 14: vs. Brooklyn Nets (3 p.m. PT)
• Wednesday, July 15: vs. Boston Celtics (5 p.m. PT)
• Final game TBD

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