Darius Acuff Jr. has turned a difficult opening to his NBA career into something historic, even if the Sacramento Kings are still looking for their first win. After Sunday’s 123-112 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Acuff Jr. reached 73 field goal attempts in his first three games, the most by any player in that span over the past 50 years.
The number matters because it shows just how much offensive responsibility Acuff Jr. has been given so early. It also underlines the scale of the challenge in front of the Kings, who are 0-3 and still trying to find a rhythm as a team.
Durant's mark falls after nearly two decades
Kevin Durant had held the previous benchmark since 2006-07, when he recorded 64 field goal attempts in his rookie season. Acuff Jr. has moved past that figure in just three games, which is a striking reflection of both his usage and the confidence the Kings have placed in him.
The workload has been heavy across all three outings. Acuff Jr. has taken 24 field goal attempts in one game, 26 in another and 23 in the third, producing 22.3 points per game while shooting 32.9% from the field.
Volume has outweighed efficiency
The efficiency numbers show the other side of the story. Acuff Jr. has made 24 of his 73 shots overall, including 4 of 27 from three-point range, leaving him at 14.8% from beyond the arc.
That is the balance the Kings must now manage. A rookie taking on this kind of shot volume can be a sign of trust, but it can also expose how much is being asked of him before he has settled into the pace and physicality of the league.
For Sacramento, the immediate question is whether this historic shot count becomes the foundation for improvement or simply a reminder of how much work remains. The Kings are scheduled to face the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday, and that will offer the next chance to see whether Acuff Jr.'s early burden can translate into a first win.
