**MEMPHIS** — The Sacramento Kings finally found their franchise cornerstone Saturday night, as 19-year-old rookie Darius Acuff Jr. scored 38 points and tied an NBA record with nine three-pointers, providing the organization with its clearest sign of hope in years before losing to Memphis by 31.
Acuff added five rebounds and five assists while shooting 9-for-14 from beyond the arc, becoming the first teenager in NBA history to make nine threes in a game.
Unfortunately, the Grizzlies won 136–105, dropping Sacramento to 0–6 and raising immediate concerns about whether anyone had informed the other Kings that the season had started.
The performance represented a significant breakthrough for Sacramento, which has spent years searching for a young player capable of carrying the franchise.
The organization now appears to have found one, along with approximately 11 additional problems.
Team officials were reportedly thrilled to discover that Acuff could score 38 points in an NBA game, although considerably less enthusiastic upon learning that 38 points from one player does not automatically count as a team victory.
Memphis, meanwhile, improved to 6–0, with rookie Cameron Boozer scoring 27 points and the Grizzlies' bench contributing 81.
Sacramento's front office is reportedly reviewing footage to determine whether having productive teammates is something it can legally pursue.
For now, Acuff has given Kings fans something they haven't experienced in years: genuine optimism about the future.
Unfortunately, the present remains Sacramento Kings basketball.
