Kings Bring Back Simmons and Murray Against Warriors

Sacramento's efforts to address its early-season weaknesses gained two important additions Saturday, October 10, 2026, when Ben Simmons and Keegan Murray made their preseason debuts against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco. The Sacramento Kings entered the matchup seeking their first preseason win after losing twice to the Los Angeles Lakers.

According to Sports Yahoo, both players had missed Sacramento's first two preseason games but were returning after dealing with health issues. Their availability offered the coaching staff an opportunity to assess how their playmaking, perimeter defense, and shooting could strengthen the lineup ahead of the regular season.

Murray's return is particularly important following a difficult previous campaign. The fifth-year forward suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb early last season and continued to experience ankle problems, limiting him to a career-low 23 games. He also underwent surgery in April to remove loose bodies.

Sacramento needs Murray's outside shooting and defensive contributions to complement Domantas Sabonis and rookie Darius Acuff Jr. Sports Yahoo reported that the Kings finished tied for the worst three-point shooting percentage in the league at 30.4% and recorded a defensive rating of 121.5, the third-worst mark in NBA history.

Simmons also provides Sacramento with a different option for organizing its offense. General manager Scott Perry signed the 30-year-old guard to a one-year, $3.5 million contract on September 4, seeking an experienced playmaker who could lead possessions when Acuff or Sabonis rests.

The 6-foot-10 Simmons last appeared in an NBA game during the 2024-2025 season, when he played 18 games off the bench for the Los Angeles Clippers. According to Fubo's preseason preview, he averaged 2.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game during that stint.

His ability to move the ball quickly in transition and defend multiple positions could provide Sacramento with additional lineup flexibility. Sports Yahoo noted that Simmons can guard perimeter players and match up with centers, giving coach Doug Christie another option when implementing switching coverage against pick-and-roll plays.

The matchup also offered Sacramento an opportunity to evaluate several younger players following the team's 0-2 start. Rookie Acuff, the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, had recorded 31 points, five assists, and eight turnovers while shooting 37.5% through the first two preseason games, according to Fubo.

Second-year guard Nique Clifford had contributed 23 points, nine rebounds, and two assists in his preseason opener. Young big men Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell had combined for 34 points and 35 rebounds on 14-for-24 shooting across the team's opening games.

Meanwhile, second-round rookie Emanuel Sharp remained a player to monitor as Sacramento searched for reliable perimeter shooting. Sports Yahoo reported that he averaged 9.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 25.5 minutes per game through two preseason appearances, shooting 25% from the field and 23.5% from three-point range.

Veteran forward De'Andre Hunter also faced pressure to improve after a slow preseason start. Through two games, he averaged 3.0 points and 2.0 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game, shooting 16.7% from the field and 0% from three-point range, following an absence during the final two months of the 2025-2026 season.

Golden State entered the contest with a 1-2 preseason record and its own promising rookie in Yaxel Lendeborg, the 11th overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft. Fubo reported that the Michigan national champion had accumulated 21 points and 18 rebounds on 8-for-17 shooting in two preseason games.

For Sacramento's returning players, the game provided their first preseason opportunity to build chemistry against another NBA opponent. The Kings also faced the challenge of defending Stephen Curry, whose movement around screens creates scoring opportunities for Golden State.