Ben Simmons on NBA return: ‘It felt really good’

Ben Simmons is back on an NBA court. That alone meant something to him.

Simmons made his preseason debut with the Kings on Saturday after sitting out the entire 2025-26 season, finishing with seven points and one assist in nine minutes during Sacramento’s 111-106 loss to Golden State.

“It felt really good,” Simmons said, via Brenden Nunes. “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.”

Simmons last appeared in an NBA game in April 2025 and spent last season away from the league before signing a one-year deal with Sacramento.

The three-time All-Star said the time away has also changed the way he sees the floor.

“The game’s just slowed down a lot for me,” Simmons said.

There were only nine minutes to evaluate Saturday, so this wasn’t some grand declaration that the old Simmons is back.

But after more than a year away, the first step was simply getting back out there.

He did that. And apparently, it felt pretty good.