LaVine’s 37 points, Acuff’s improvements not enough as Kings fall to 0-3

The Sacramento Kings had their chances Sunday night. They just couldn’t make enough plays when it mattered.

Zach LaVine put together his best offensive performance of the young season, Darius Acuff Jr. delivered the most complete game of his young NBA career, and Sacramento fought back from a double-digit deficit multiple times.

It still wasn’t enough.

The Kings fell to the Memphis Grizzlies 123-112 at Golden 1 Center, dropping to 0-3 to begin the season. And once again, the biggest problem was on the defensive end.

ZACH LAVINE TOMAHAWK JAM 🤯 https://t.co/jHSLPdPlIM

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) October 26, 2026

Sacramento has now allowed a 40-point quarter in all three games this season. That’s quickly growing from a small sample-size quirk into a real problem.

A 42-31 disadvantage in the second quarter loomed large during the 11-point defeat.

Memphis consistently got the looks it wanted from three, finishing 15-of-40 (37%) from deep, doing enough damage from beyond the arc to secure the win.

And yet, Sacramento kept hanging around.

LaVine was outstanding, finishing with 37 points on 13-of-25 shooting while repeatedly keeping the Kings within striking distance. He scored 20 points in the first half and kept attacking all night, including a stretch in the fourth quarter where two steals created transition opportunities.

Acuff, whose efficiency has become a hot topic early in this NBA season, looked like a completely different player than in the first two games of his career–well, at least he did through the first three quarters, before going two-for-ten in the final frame.

After attempting 50 shots through his first two games and shooting just 2-of-18 from three, the seventh overall pick looked much more comfortable Sunday. He moved the ball, made better decisions, and looked far more cohesive within Sacramento’s offense.

DA5 is live 😮‍💨 https://t.co/A5XBf6Kisj

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) October 26, 2026

He finished with 22 points, seven assists and just one turnover while shooting 9-of-23 from the field. His three-point shooting is still a problem; he went 2-of-9 (22%), but everything else about his performance was a significant step forward.

This was the version of Acuff the Kings need to see more often.

Domantas Sabonis was dominant early, scoring 10 points and grabbing eight rebounds in the first quarter before foul trouble completely changed his night.

He picked up his fourth foul with more than 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter and struggled to stay involved offensively after that.

Sabonis finally broke through again in the fourth, converting a three-point play that tied the game at 106 with 5:30 remaining.

But Memphis answered.

The Grizzlies ripped off an 11-0 run, turning a tie game into a 117-106 lead with 3:45 left. That was essentially the ballgame.

Step-back. Straight cash. 💰

Crunch Time 📲 https://t.co/uu3QzCuPmc https://t.co/gpyGtUZlj3

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) October 26, 2026

Sabonis finished with 15 points, 15 rebounds and five fouls, while Precious Achiuwa provided a strong effort in his first start of the season. Filling in for Keegan Murray, who missed Sunday’s action due to ankle soreness, Achiuwa finished with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals.

Achiuwa has been a clear bright spot for the Kings over these three losses, and the veteran big has proven his two-year, $11 million deal was money well spent.

Still, Sacramento needed more from the supporting cast. LaVine and Acuff provided the offense. Achiuwa battled. Sabonis eventually found his way back into the game.

It wasn’t enough.

“I have to be better for them,” head coach Doug Christie said postgame. “This isn’t on them. I’ll take this.”

It’s admirable for Christie to take the brunt of the blame for what transpired on Sunday, but the reality is that this roster does not have the depth or defensive personnel to survive a 48-minute NBA matchup.

This team has talent, with Acuff, Sabonis, LaVine, and others clearly able to contribute at a high level, but this team simply needs more. More of what, exactly?

Three-point defense AND offense.

Step-back Zach 🔥 https://t.co/4TGKIJ5jgO

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) October 26, 2026

Opponents are shooting 35 percent from three against the Sacramento Kings this season and averaging 124 points per game over three games.

As for the Kings, they are shooting just 28 percent from downtown, with LaVine being the only truly reliable option from that area.

That won’t cut it. It hasn’t cut it over three games, and it surely won’t cut it over the remaining 79. And LaVine knows it, too.

“If we’re not a defensive team, we still have to figure out how to get stops,” LaVine said postgame. “We have talented offensive players. I’m not worried about that.”

Sacramento Kings Injury Updates

Keegan Murray (left Ankle capsulitis) missed Sunday’s game and is considered day-to-day.

Maxime Raynaud (right patellar subluxation) will be re-evaluated this week.

Dylan Cardwell (left calf strain) will be re-evaluated this week.

Ben Simmons underwent successful surgery to address a torn right Achilles tendon and will miss the entire 2026-27 season.

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

• 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
• Kenny Caraway wants to see an aggressive Zach LaVine

Sacramento Kings 2026-27 Regular Season Schedule

• Sunday, October 25th vs. Memphis Grizzlies (6:00 P.M. PT)
• 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)

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