The Sacramento Kings became the first team in the NBA to lose five games this campaign, in a 132-120 defeat against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.
Jeremiah Fears and Zion Williamson each scored 22 points for the Pelicans, who broke into the win column just 24 hours after suffering a fourth straight season-opening defeat against the Denver Nuggets. For Sacramento, rookie Darius Acuff Jr. delivered a historic individual performance with 34 points and 13 assists, joining an elite club of teenagers in NBA history to cross the 30-point and 10-assist threshold in a single game alongside LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Stephon Marbury.
How the Pelicans Pulled Away
The contest started brightly for the visitors. Sacramento managed to carve out an early eight-point advantage in the early going. That momentum vanished as the game wore on.
Teenagers in NBA history with 30+ PTS, 10+ AST in a game:Darius Acuff Jr. (tonight)LeBron James (3x)Luka DoncicStephon MarburyAcuff had 34 PTS, 13 AST vs. Pelicans. pic.twitter.com/7iEnrubPcJ
New Orleans seized control during the second and third quarters. Derik Queen book-ended a 12-0 burst early in the second quarter with a 3-pointer and a short jumper, handing the hosts a 36-32 advantage. The Kings clawed back within 67-65 following an Acuff drive to the hoop in the second minute of the third period.
The Pelicans answered with a 21-4 flurry. Fears and Trey Murphy III drilled consecutive 3-pointers, while Williamson added six points during the surge to put the game out of reach. A late 3-pointer from Zach LaVine cut the deficit to 113-106 with 7:11 remaining on the clock, but New Orleans rattled off the next 10 points to coast home.
Rookie Brilliance
Acuff’s night surpassed his previous season-high of 33 points recorded in his second NBA game, against Portland on Oct. 23. He converted 13 of his 26 shots while adding six rebounds to his stat line. Domantas Sabonis pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds alongside nine points and seven assists, though he committed seven turnovers.
Fears orchestrated the New Orleans offense, recording his fourth career double-double with a career-best 13 assists. He missed a triple-double by just two rebounds while stuffing the defensive stat sheet with four blocks and two steals. Murphy chipped in 19 points, Herbert Jones added 16, Karlo Matkovic contributed 12, and both Saddiq Bey and Ben Mathurin finished with 10 points apiece for a balanced Pelicans attack that also saw Williamson notch five steals. De’Andre Hunter and Precious Achiuwa scored 24 points each for the Kings, and LaVine finished with 21.
The Road Ahead
The Kings’ schedule continues on Saturday, October 31st, when they travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies. That matchup is followed by a visit to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, November 2nd, before the team hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, November 4th.
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