Voltar
Sacramento Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr. was nominated for the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week award, the league announced on Monday.
Acuff averaged 30.3 points, eight assists and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 46.9% from 3-point range in three games last week. He ranked ninth among all players in total points (91) and field goals (33) during the week, and he was tied for fifth in 3s (15).
The seventh overall pick is the first rookie to be nominated for the award, which was won by San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama and Boston Celtics forward Jayon Tatum. He was nominated alongside Stephen Curry, Luka Dončić and Cooper Flagg.
Acuff is averaging 26.3 points, 6.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds while shooting 32.2% from 3-point range in six appearances with the Kings (0-6). He ranks ninth in scoring and is one of five players overall with three 30-point games.
The 6-foot-2 Acuff is on a sensational scoring run with the Kings after getting the ultimate green light to shoot from coach Doug Christie. He is the first player since Shaquille O'Neal in 1992 to tally at least 150 points in his first six games (158).
While Acuff has emerged as a key player, the Kings have struggled on the court after dropping their first six games of the season. The group will look to bounce back Monday in Dallas.