Are There Health Concerns for Kings in the Preseason?

Malik Monk, Ben Simmons and Keegan Murray have yet to make their Sacramento Kings preseason debut after two games against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Sacramento ruled Monk out for rest, Simmons missed the game for a non-injury-related reason, and Murray was placed on the inactive list for an undisclosed reason.

Rotation players sitting out preseason games isn't uncommon, but it could raise some concern. These games are the perfect environment to regain wind and return to in-game shape before the regular season.

Monk, Simmons and Murray are behind schedule. They will have three more chances to appear against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, the Portland Trail Blazers next Tuesday, and the San Antonio Spurs next Friday.

Simmons should be playing in every game he can to prove he is healthy and back up the talk that he's returned to his Philadelphia 76ers form. He's an X-factor for Sacramento with his playmaking and defensive versatility.

The 6-foot-10 forward has made his NBA comeback after sitting out last season to focus and recover from the severe back injuries that plagued his tenure with the Brooklyn Nets.

The Kings may be taking precautions in the preseason, but seeing top-end rotation players on the bench became a common sight last season.

Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and Murray played 81 games combined. Sabonis and LaVine underwent season-ending surgeries in February, while Murray dealt with a torn UCL in his left thumb and lingering ankle issues.

Health is wealth, especially for Sacramento. Their top players returning healthy could help the team win games in a season where the new lottery reform rules are in effect.

Early preseason reps matter, too. Domantas Sabonis, who was ruled out before Thursday's contest, looked to have strong two-man chemistry with rookie Darius Acuff Jr.

Sabonis' screening helped Acuff create separation from his defender, getting to the mid-range with enough space for a pull-up jumper. Scoring came much easier with the veteran setting screens than it did with younger guys in the summer league.

Acuff struggled to replicate the same performance without Sabonis' screening on Thursday. He couldn't get to those spots with ease, and didn't get going until the end of the first half, when he hit a pair of threes.

Concerns about Monk, Simmons and Murray not playing the first two games may be an overreaction, but it's warranted after an injury-plagued season like last.

Sacramento cannot afford to struggle with health issues in a season where it's competing to finish with the fourth- to 10th-worst record.