Ben Simmons’ return to NBA action gave the Sacramento Kings one of the few bright spots of their preseason night against the Golden State Warriors, even with the setback of Maxime Raynaud’s injury hanging over the game. The Kings came away with what looked like their strongest exhibition showing so far, and Simmons was a big reason why.
Making his Kings debut, Simmons was back on an NBA floor for the first time in more than a year. The numbers were modest - seven points and one assist - but the more important detail was how comfortable he looked. He moved smoothly, played with confidence, and gave Sacramento something far more valuable than a stat line: a healthy, promising first impression.
After the game, Simmons described the feeling of getting back out there.
"Felt really good. When you're out for a year and come back, it's a good feeling to just be out there and compete and get the first one out of the way, but I felt good. With the limited minutes, it felt good."
His time was limited by design. Simmons played a little more than eight minutes, exactly the kind of controlled ramp-up the Kings planned for as they ease him back into game action.
That setup matters. Sacramento isn’t trying to force him into an urgent playoff push or lean on him as the missing piece under heavy pressure.
Instead, the team can let him rebuild at a measured pace and focus on keeping him on the floor.
For Simmons, the biggest difference right now is health.
"I think a lot of it is just being healthy. Being able to do what I do and, also adding to that, being more aggressive. You know, I'm older now, not the same player I was a few years ago, especially given that I'm healthy."
He also said the game feels different to him now than it did earlier in his career.
"I think the game has just slowed down a lot for me, and I see a lot more now. So I think just being around and having a lot of years under my belt, the game's just slowed down for me, and I can make better decisions. Obviously, I haven't played in a year, but I still feel confident out there to make the right plays."
The Kings’ starting five is still unsettled, but Simmons is already building a case to be part of it alongside Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis. Shot-making will always be a question, but Acuff has already said that having the point forward beside him makes things easier.
For Sacramento, the bigger story might be simpler than lineup combinations or preseason rotation talk. Simmons being healthy and back on the court is meaningful on its own, for the Kings and for the league.
In Other News...
Kings Suddenly Have Two Roster Concerns Fans Can't Ignore
The preseason results have not gone Sacramentos way, and the latest loss came with a tougher subplot than the scoreboard. The Kings dropped their third straight exhibition game, even as Darius Acuff Jr. flashed with 25 points, 8 assists and 4 rebounds, and Ben Simmons made his team debut with a modest but steady line. It was the kind of night that offered a little bit of optimism in spots, while also reminding the coaching staff that the roster is still sorting itself out.
The bigger concern came late, when Maxime Raynaud went down and had to be wheeled off the floor after exiting near the end of the second half. His injury adds another layer of uncertainty to a team that is already trying to figure out its best combinations, especially with De'Andre Hunter struggling again and leaving questions about where he fits. Sacramento gets another preseason look next against Portland, but right now the rotation picture feels more unsettled than encouraging. [Read more 🡒]
Alex Karaban Already Faces A Tough Kings Rotation Reality
With two roster spots still open, the Kings are already looking at a crowded forward mix, and Alex Karaban is feeling the squeeze before the season even starts. His preseason work has offered a glimpse of why Sacramento likes the fit, but his minutes have been limited and have shifted depending on who was available around him.
Karaban did flash enough in exhibition play to stand out against some of the veterans in the mix, which only adds to the intrigue as the Kings sort out their rotation. Even so, the regular season picture still points toward established options getting the early edge, leaving Karaban in the kind of wait-and-see spot that can define a young players first run with a team. [Read more 🡒]
Kings Frontcourt Suddenly Has A Maxime Raynaud Problem
A rough preseason night added another layer of concern for Sacramento when Maxime Raynaud went down against Golden State and had to be helped off after a right knee injury. The Kings are already in the part of camp where health matters as much as rhythm, and with two preseason games still on the schedule, every setback forces the staff to balance evaluation against caution.
Darius Acuff also exited limping, though his issue looked less severe in the moment, leaving Sacramento with more questions than answers in the frontcourt. The broader concern is less about one October game than what it can do to a team trying to sort roles, build continuity and get through the rest of the preseason without losing more bodies along the way. [Read more 🡒]