Precious Achiuwa scores season-high 24 points

Murray was held out of Sunday’s loss to the Grizzlies due to left ankle capsulitis. Precious Achiuwa moved into the starting lineup, finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and three blocks in 39 minutes. He’s a worthwhile pickup while Murray sits, but fantasy managers will likely take a hit in free-throw percentage.

The Kings were without Keegan Murray (ankle) for Sunday’s game, so Achiuwa made a spot start. While his foul shooting was a disaster, the positives outweighed that negative in terms of the Kings forward’s production. Achiuwa played 39 minutes against the Grizzlies and recorded a double-double with five “stocks.” Sacramento plays three games in Week 2, starting with the Spurs on Tuesday, and Achiuwa would be a worthwhile pickup if Murray remains out.

The Kings will not have Keegan Murray for Sunday’s game, opening up a spot in the starting lineup. Achiuwa will fill the void, raising his fantasy ceiling in the final game of Week 1.

Murray was initially questionable for Sunday’s game, but will now be sidelined. Precious Achiuwa will look to benefit and likely start in place of Murray. Fantasy managers should keep an eye ahead of Week 2.

Murray, who was initially questionable for Sunday’s game, is on track to sit after the status downgrade. If he can’t play, Precious Achiuwa may benefit most, as he’s likely to replace Murray in the starting lineup.

This performance is obviously influenced by a lot of shot attempts and good efficiency from Precious. He won’t do this every game, but he will have the occasional game where he will score really well. If you want to use him as a streamer only, he could be worth taking a look at if you need some points and rebounds. Do not expect much more than that however.

Simmons’ 2026-27 season reportedly ended in devastating fashion days before his official return to the NBA. The 6-foot-10 guard/forward signed with the Kings with the expectation that he would back up rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr. However, Simmons showed enough during the preseason to earn a starting spot alongside Acuff. Sunday’s injury changes that, obviously, with Precious Achiuwa and De’Andre Hunter being potential replacements in the starting five. As for the point guard rotation, Malik Monk will be asked to take on more playmaking responsibilities off the bench.

The Kings just can’t keep a backup big healthy. Maxime Raynaud (knee) and Dylan Cardwell (calf) are both set to miss time, so Achiuwa got the start with Domantas Sabonis getting the night off. Achiuwa exited early with a right ankle injury after having a productive night. If he is also forced to miss the start of the season, Jonathan Mogbo would be next in line to back up Sabonis.

After missing practice on Monday, Cardwell is now set to miss the start of the season. Maxime Raynaud (knee) has also been ruled out for the start of the season, so the Kings will be thin down low behind Domantas Sabonis. Precious Achiuwa will likely be tasked with filling the void in a limited capacity.

After sitting out the entire 2025-26 season, Simmons started and played nine minutes in his unofficial debut for the Kings on Saturday against the Warriors. At the time of his signing, reports said the veteran guard/forward was expected to back up rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr., but the Kings appear to have a different plan. Simmons, whose minutes will be increased in Sacramento’s final two preseason games, is expected to remain a starter. That likely pushes Precious Achiuwa to the bench, with Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis rounding out the starting five. Despite Monday’s report, fantasy managers should still wait until the later rounds of drafts to select Simmons.