'Felt really good': The nine minutes that shook Simmons critics

• Simmons started for Sacramento and had seven points and an assist in nine minutes
• It was his first NBA game since he sat out the entire 2025-26 season
• His minimum deal is non-guaranteed, and preseason decides whether he makes the roster

‍It's the nine minutes that have Ben Simmons' critics shook and leaving Australian Boomers fans – as well as Sacramento Kings fans – with a hint of a smile.

546 days after 30-year-old 2.08m Simmons last logged regular season NBA minutes, he started for the Kings, jumped centre and played point guard (those who know, know) against the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, October 11, 2026, in the NBA preseason.

The three-time NBA All-Star and 2018 Rookie of the Year finished with seven points and an assist in 9 minutes. He went (2-for-4 and 3-for-4 from the line). He didn't play again after the first quarter.

"Felt really good," Simmons said post-game.

"I think, you know, when you're out for a year and come back, it's a good feeling to just be out there and compete and get the first one out of the way.

"But I felt good. You know, with the limited minutes, I felt good."

Simmons sat out the entire 2025-26 NBA season, bought a professional fishing team, flew himself to the Australian Boomers players-only mini camp in Melbourne at the end of August, flew back to the US, worked out for the Sacramento Kings and then signed a non-guaranteed veteran league minimum.

His first bucket came on a right-hand jump hook over 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and five-time NBA All-Defensive First Team Draymond Green and his second, a pretty step-back mid-range jumper from the right side.

"I think a lot of it is just being healthy and being able to do what I do, and also adding to that, being more aggressive," Simmons said.

"And I'm older now. You know, I'm not the same player I was a few years ago, especially given that I'm healthy."

It was a small sample, but Simmons showed more than enough, especially while running the Kings' second-unit offence, to earn him a spot on the Sacramento roster on opening day.

It wasn't all roses, though; he did go under on a Stephen Curry pick-and-roll that left the NBA's greatest shooter wide open.

"I put in a lot of work to get back here, so it's just being smart about it," Simmons said of the nine minutes.

"Obviously, you know, I haven't played in a year. This is my first time playing in a year.

"So for me, it's just doing the right things and being smart about it, and just building from there because it's going to be a long year."

Despite missing a full season, Simmons said the game had changed for him.

"I think the game's just slowed down a lot for me, and I see a lot more now," he revealed.

"So I think just being around and having, you know, a lot of years under my belt, the game's just slowed down for me, and I can make better decisions, obviously.

"I haven't played in a year, but, you know, I still feel confident out there to make the right plays."

A knee injury to second-year centre Maxime Raynaud marred the Melbourne-born son of NBL veteran Dave Simmons' first game back.

"That's my teammate," Simmons said.

"You know, for a guy to go down, it sucks. I've been there before. I've experienced injuries, so I know that feeling.

"You know, it feels like the end of the world in that moment, but just let him know we're here to support him, whether it's something serious and major or not. We're here to support him.

"It comes with sports, but he'll be strong. He'll get through it. It's just another obstacle in the way.

"But, you know, he's a great player, and I think he has a great mentality, so he'll be fine. Everyone's got his back.

"So regardless of the sport itself or what happens, you just want to show support to your teammates. You've just got to be a good person, man. Like, the game is a game. We lost – who cares?

"I'm more worried about my teammate and how he's doing."

The Kings have two more preseason games: Portland on October 14, 2026, at 1pm (AEDT); and San Antonio on Saturday, October 17 at 11am (AEDT).

They open the season against Simmons' former club, the Los Angeles Clippers, on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 1.30pm (AEDT).