Ben Simmons is set to be in the Sacramento Kings’ opening-night starting five, and the matchup that matters most is the one beside rookie Darius Acuff Jr. The Kings are expected to pair them when they open the season against the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 21, a move that gives Sacramento a chance to ease some of the load on its rookie while finding out whether Simmons can keep building on his comeback.
Simmons already took a meaningful first step Saturday, returning to action after one year, five months and 27 days away from an NBA game. Sacramento started him against Golden State, and he produced seven points and one assist in nine minutes during a 111-106 preseason loss.
He shot 2-for-4 and handled the opening tip, but the biggest takeaway came after the game: he felt good. For Simmons, who spent a season dealing with his back, knees and mental well-being, simply getting through that first appearance marked real progress.
The fit with Acuff makes sense on paper. Simmons can handle the initiation work, which would let the rookie work off the ball instead of being forced to run every possession. Acuff said that having Simmons next to him makes things easier, since he can move between passing, scoring and playing away from the ball.
Ben Simmons is expected to be in the Kings starting lineup for their opening game, per @MarcJSpears
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) October 12, 2026
“Simmons is expected to remain in the starting lineup alongside rookie guard Darius Acuff for the Oct. 21 season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.”… pic.twitter.com/z2HEdcDSN7
Still, Sacramento has to sort out the spacing. The Kings need to figure out which lineups give them enough shooting and scoring when two guards are sharing playmaking duties. The preseason should help show whether the pairing creates smoother offense or just shifts the burden around.
Ben Simmons full FOOTAGE vs. Golden State Warriors (111-106 L) - preseason:
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) October 11, 2026
7 Points on 2/4 FG, 3/4 from the line, 1 Assist (2 TOV), 2 PF, and a +/- of 0 in 8:54 minutes played.
He played only in the 1st quarter.
I also posted it on YouTube:https://t.co/Gd0GFDMYlU pic.twitter.com/Va2AOmDaE7
Coach Doug Christie has pointed to Simmons’ versatility, saying he can guard and play all five positions. That kind of flexibility gives Sacramento more options against different matchups, especially while Acuff adjusts to the NBA.
The Kings brought Simmons in on a one-year, $3.5 million deal after general manager Scott Perry evaluated him in Miami. After finishing with a Western Conference-worst 22-60 record, Sacramento has plenty of incentive to keep searching for something new instead of leaning on the same old answers.
The real question is availability. Simmons wants to play all 82 games, but he has not topped 51 appearances since playing 58 in 2020-21. His planned increase in preseason minutes will be another checkpoint.
Right now, the starting job says more about possibility than certainty. Sacramento is betting that Simmons’ return can become something useful next to its rookie.
In Other News...
Kings Fans Shouldnt Miss Whats Emerging With Nique Clifford
Nique Cliffords preseason has already offered the kind of early glimpse Kings fans love to see from a young player trying to carve out a bigger role. After arriving in Sacramento as a 2025 draft pick, he flashed right away with a big first outing, then settled into quieter scoring nights as the exhibition slate moved along, but the broader trend has been encouraging because his approach has stayed assertive.
Clifford has looked more aggressive with the ball, getting into his offense earlier and doing more than just hunting points. His shot volume, passing, and work on the defensive end have all pointed to a player trying to round out his game as he heads deeper into his sophomore season, and the next step is turning that activity into more consistent production from the perimeter. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Fans Are Starting To See What Acuff Could Change
Sacramentos preseason has offered a clearer look at the direction this roster wants to go, and Darius Acuff Jr. has been one of the early reasons for optimism. The rookie has flashed in a lineup that is being reshaped around a tougher defensive identity, and his scoring burst in recent action gave Kings fans a glimpse of a player who can fit into more than one version of the offense as the season approaches.
The broader makeover matters just as much. Sacramento has been working to balance its roster with more reliable defense on the perimeter, and the additions around Acuff suggest the front office is trying to make sure the offense is not carrying the whole load again. For a team trying to change its feel, the interesting question now is how much of Acuffs preseason promise can carry over once the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]
Ben Simmons Gave Kings Fans A Different Reason To Watch His Debut
Ben Simmons first run back in the NBA with the Kings was always going to draw attention, and the preseason setting made it feel even more measured. Sacramento eased him in carefully because of his injury history and the time he has spent away from the league, giving fans a first look at what he can still bring without asking for too much too soon.
The game also offered a different kind of snapshot of Simmons, one that had less to do with his stat line and more to do with his presence. When Maxime Raynaud went down with a right patella injury, Simmons stayed nearby and offered support, a small but noticeable moment in a night that otherwise centered on his long-awaited return. [Read more 🡒]