Ben Simmons is expected to be featured in the Sacramento Kings' starting lineup for their Oct. 21 season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Andscape's Marc J. Spears.
Simmons made his Kings preseason debut in Saturday's 111-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors. The contest marked his first NBA game since April 2025, when he and the Los Angeles Clippers were eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs.
The 30-year-old didn't sign with a team last season while recovering from back and knee issues. He joined Sacramento in September on a one-year deal reportedly worth $3.5 million.
"Ben can do everything," Kings head coach Doug Christie told Spears. "There's no area that is off limits. He can guard one through five. He can play one through five.
"In the preseason, there's an experimental part of what we do. We try to see rotations, minutes, and lineups. First and foremost, (I'm) just excited for him, proud of him and for him as he gets back on the floor. I'm super excited."
Christie's starting lineup Saturday also included Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, Precious Achiuwa, and this year's seventh overall pick, Darius Acuff Jr. The 19-year-old rookie, who started Sacramento's first three preseason games, said he'll happily defer to Simmons while sharing the floor with the three-time All-Star.
"It makes it way easier for me," Acuff told Spears about playing alongside the former No. 1 pick. "I can pass and score. So, when he's in, I can just let him do him and I do me and I play off the ball a little bit. And I don't mind doing that at all.
"It's great to have him, man. He's still as fast as we watched him when he first came out. He still looked like Ben, so it's great to have him out there. He's a great veteran, great leader."
Simmons put up seven points and one assist in nine minutes Saturday. The 2017-18 Rookie of the Year owns career averages of 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.5 steals. However, he hasn't averaged double digits in scoring since 2020-21, his final year with the Philadelphia 76ers.
