Ben Simmons made his debut for the Sacramento Kings during their 111-106 preseason loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in San Francisco. Despite the defeat, Simmons delivered an encouraging performance in limited playing time, while rookie Darius Acuff Jr. led Sacramento with an impressive 25-point display.
The Kings continued their winless preseason run, but Simmons’ first appearance and Acuff’s scoring performance provided positive takeaways for the team.
Ben Simmons Impresses in Limited Kings Debut
Ben Simmons scored seven points in just nine minutes during his first appearance for Sacramento. He made half of his field-goal attempts, missed only one free throw, and did not attempt a three-pointer.
His limited minutes offered an early look at what he could contribute to the Kings as they prepare for the upcoming NBA season. Simmons’ versatility and ability to contribute in different areas of the game will be important as Sacramento evaluates its rotation.
Although the Kings could not secure the victory, Simmons’ debut was one of the key storylines from the preseason matchup against Golden State.
Darius Acuff Jr. Leads Sacramento With 25 Points
Rookie Darius Acuff Jr. delivered the standout scoring performance for the Kings, finishing with a game-high 25 points.
Acuff shot 8-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, and converted all five of his free throws. He also recorded four rebounds and came within two assists of a double-double.
Zach LaVine added 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting in 23 minutes. His increased playing time gave Sacramento another opportunity to evaluate its offensive combinations ahead of the regular season.
The Kings also received contributions from Precious Achiuwa and Jonathan Mogbo as they attempted to overcome Golden State’s late advantage.
Kings vs Warriors: How Golden State Secured the Win
The Golden State Warriors defeated Sacramento 111-106 after pulling away during the middle stages of the game and holding off a late Kings comeback.
Golden State was led by Yaxel Lendeborg, who recorded 23 points and 10 rebounds on 10-of-14 shooting. Brandon Williams contributed 19 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting, while Georges Niang added 13 points.
Brandin Podziemski finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists. He also made three of his seven attempts from beyond the arc.
Stephen Curry scored eight points, including two three-pointers, in limited action. Draymond Green contributed three points, seven rebounds and five assists in 23 minutes.
The Warriors made the difference from the perimeter and the free-throw line. Both teams recorded 38 made field goals, but Golden State converted two more three-pointers and three more free throws.
Sacramento Kings vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats
The following player statistics highlight the leading performers in the preseason contest.
Sacramento Kings
- Darius Acuff Jr.: 25 points, four rebounds, 8-of-15 field goals, 4-of-6 three-pointers.
- Ben Simmons: Seven points in nine minutes.
- Zach LaVine: 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting.
Golden State Warriors
- Yaxel Lendeborg: 23 points, 10 rebounds, 10-of-14 shooting.
- Brandon Williams: 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting.
- Brandin Podziemski: 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
- Georges Niang: 13 points, including three three-pointers.
- Stephen Curry: Eight points, including two three-pointers.
- Draymond Green: Three points, seven rebounds and five assists.
These are the leading individual performances reported in the game recap, rather than a complete box score for every player.
How the Game Unfolded
Sacramento initially fell behind 19-12 before responding with a 12-1 run to take control. Simmons made a free throw late in the first quarter as the Kings carried a narrow 25-24 lead into the next period.
The Kings maintained their advantage for much of the second quarter. LaVine’s three-pointer helped Sacramento lead 54-50 with three minutes remaining, but Golden State responded with an 11-2 run to take a 61-56 halftime lead.
Sacramento briefly regained the advantage in the third quarter when Achiuwa made two free throws to put the Kings ahead 70-69. The Warriors finished the period strongly, outscoring Sacramento 20-11 over the remainder of the quarter to establish an 89-81 lead.
Golden State extended its advantage to 10 points in the fourth quarter, but the Kings refused to give up. Sacramento produced a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to two points.
Mogbo helped keep the game close, bringing the Kings within 103-101 with 3:27 remaining. He later made three free throws to reduce Golden State’s lead to 108-106 in the final minute.
However, the Warriors converted three additional free throws, and Sacramento could not find another basket before the final buzzer.
What Ben Simmons’ Debut Means for Sacramento
Simmons’ first appearance gives the Kings an early opportunity to assess how he fits into their lineup. His seven points in nine minutes were a positive start, although one preseason appearance is not enough to determine his long-term role.
Sacramento will also be encouraged by Acuff’s ability to score efficiently from both inside and beyond the three-point line. His 25-point performance demonstrated the offensive potential he could bring to the team’s rotation.
The Kings will look to build on these individual performances as they continue preparing for the regular season. Their next scheduled preseason matchup is against the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday.
Final Takeaway
Ben Simmons made a promising start to his Sacramento Kings tenure, scoring seven points in nine minutes against the Golden State Warriors. However, Golden State’s 111-106 victory extended Sacramento’s winless preseason.
Acuff’s game-high 25 points and Lendeborg’s 23-point, 10-rebound double-double were among the biggest individual highlights. While the Kings fell short, Simmons’ debut and the rookie’s strong scoring display gave Sacramento encouraging signs to carry into its next preseason game.
Leave a Reply