We assess the extent to which the NMSSM can allow for light dark matter in the $2gevlsim mcnonelsim 12gev$ mass range with correct relic density and large spin-independent direct-detection cross section, $sigsi$, in the range suggested by cogent and DAMA. For standard assumptions regarding nucleon $s$-quark content and cosmological relic density, $rho$, we find that the NMSSM falls short by a factor of about 10 to 15 (3 to 5) without (with) significant violation of the current $(g-2)_mu$ constraints.