The Sacramento Kings have officially ruled Ben Simmons out of Monday night's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. The team also sidelined Malik Monk and Keegan Murray for the contest at Golden 1 Center. This decision confirms the Kings' plan to be patient with Simmons, who hasn't played an NBA game since April 2025. His absence isn't a setback, though. Head coach Doug Christie is simply bringing the veteran along slowly after a full season away.
No, Ben Simmons will not suit up against the Lakers on October 5. Sean Cunningham of Fox40 reported the news shortly before tip-off. The move follows an earlier report indicating Sacramento intended to ramp Simmons up with care. The encouraging takeaway for fans is that Simmons is reportedly healthy. He's said to have had one of the strongest training camps of any Kings player this fall. The choice to hold him out is purely about managing his workload, not an injury.
Simmons is now targeting either the October 8 rematch with the Lakers in Los Angeles or the October 10 road game against the Warriors for his first preseason action. That means Thursday is the earliest opportunity to see the former All-Star in a Sacramento uniform. The Kings' recent schedule has been a mix.
Sacramento has every reason to be cautious. Simmons did not play anywhere during the 2025-26 NBA season. His last appearances came with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers in 2024-25, where he averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds over 51 games. Injuries have dramatically changed his career path since his days as a Philadelphia 76ers star. The Kings don't need him to return to that All-NBA level immediately. If he can stay on the court and provide defense, size, rebounding, and secondary playmaking, he'll find a significant role.
For now, that role remains a mystery. Kings supporters will have to wait at least one more game to see how Simmons fits into Christie's rotation. The team's focus is on the long season ahead, where every decision matters for playoff positioning.
The immediate focus is the preseason opener against LeBron James and the Lakers. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT at Golden 1 Center. Beyond that, all eyes will be on Simmons' potential debut later this week. His integration is one of the more interesting storylines of Sacramento's offseason. The Kings signed him to a one-year, $3.5 million deal in September, a low-risk move with potential high reward.
Simmons' journey back is a major subplot for a Kings team that showed flashes last season. Adding a player of Simmons' pedigree, even in a reduced capacity, could help stabilize the rotation. His debut, whenever it comes, will be a key moment for evaluating this roster's ceiling.
