Ben Simmons expected to start Kings opener alongside Darius Acuff
WhyNBA Sports Desk ยท Oct 13, 2026
Back in the first unit
Ben Simmons is expected to start when Sacramento opens the season at the Clippers on Oct. 21, lining up next to rookie guard Darius Acuff.
A long road back
Simmons has not started an NBA game since January 2025 and missed all of last season. He returned in preseason with seven points in nine minutes against Golden State after a 529-day absence.
More minutes coming
The Kings plan to raise his workload in the final exhibitions, with bigger minutes against Portland and San Antonio, without rushing his return.
The durability question
Simmons wants to play a full schedule, but he has not topped 51 games in a season since 2020-21. Sacramento is betting on his defense, rebounding and passing.
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