Darius Acuff Jr. sets NBA record for shot attempts in first three games

Darius Acuff Jr. is already making NBA history.

The Sacramento Kings rookie has attempted 73 field goals in his first three career games, the most by any player over that span since shot tracking began in the 1975–76 season, per Stathead & Basketball Reference.

Acuff’s attempts have come in a steady run: 24 in his NBA debut, 26 in his second game and 23 in his third on Sunday night against Memphis.

By taking at least 20 shots in each appearance, he also became the first player to reach that mark in each of his first three career games.

Fun fact: Darius Acuff Jr. has the most shot attempts in NBA history through the first 3 games of a player’s career with 74.

Game 1: 24 FGA
Game 2: 26 FGA
Game 3: 23 FGA

He’s also the first player to attempt at least 20 shots in each of his first 3 career games. https://t.co/JRSBvE0aw5

— Bradeaux (@BradeauxNBA) October 26, 2026

More on Kings PG Darius Acuff Jr.

The previous record belonged to Kevin Durant, who attempted 64 shots across his first three NBA games during the 2007-08 season.

Darius Acuff Jr. surpassed Durant’s total by nine attempts, setting a new benchmark for a rookie’s high-volume start and making it clear the seventh overall pick has a permanent green light when it comes to letting it fly.

The record reflects how quickly Acuff has become a central part of Sacramento’s offense. His opening stretch has drawn attention for the number of chances he’s taken, and his first three games have put his name alongside one of the league’s biggest stars in the record books.

Of course, the efficiency has drawn as much or more attention–32 percent from the field and four-of-27 (14%) from beyond the arc.

Acuff was on his way to his strongest offensive showing yet during Sunday’s loss to Memphis, shooting seven-of-13 through the first three quarters before struggling in the fourth (two-of-10). The rough final frame brought the guard’s shooting numbers down to nine-of-23 (39%) from the field and two-of-nine (22%) from deep.

Darius Acuff Jr. has arrived 😤

33 PTS for the rook 🔥

Acuff’s 33 points are the most by a rookie so far this season 👀 https://t.co/Kl53eJTJGH

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 24, 2026

For a team like Sacramento, one that is currently searching for a new identity and hoping to find a franchise cornerstone to hitch their wagon to for the next decade, this will likely be the norm.

Darius Acuff Jr. is just 19, and he is far from a polished product. He has made mistakes, and he will make many more.

But you can also see him make adjustments in real time. After handing out just seven assists over his first two games combined, the Arkansas product finished his third game with seven assists and just one turnover. Not only that, but he probably should have had more than seven dimes, with Sacramento failing to finish several of his looks.

Darius Acuff Jr. is far from being the NBA player that he is going to be. The Kings are rebuilding, and Acuff is the future. That means he’ll get a long leash on shot selection, volume, and decision-making.

It won’t always be pretty, but as we’ve seen during the rookie’s first three games, there will be times when he finds the bottom of the net consistently, leading to scoring runs–and quite possibly, even some wins.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• Matt George on the Kings’ rough start: ‘Trading 3’s for 2’s” isn’t working’
• Sam Amick on Doug Christie’s job security & Zach LaVine’s trade value
• Mark Jones on the Kings’ keys to success in 2026-27
• Sacramento Kings fans rank 6th in Nielsen NBA Fandom Index

Sacramento Kings 2026-27 Regular Season Schedule

• Tuesday, October 27th @ San Antonio Spurs (5:00 P.M. PT)
• Thursday, October 29th @ New Orleans Pelicans (5:00 P.M. PT)
• Saturday, October 31st @ Memphis Grizzlies (5:00 P.M. PT)
• Monday, November 2nd @ Dallas Mavericks (5:00 P.M. PT)
• Wednesday, November 4th vs. Los Angeles Lakers (7:00 P.M. PT)

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