Raynaud exits early in Kings preseason loss to Warriors

Oct 10, 2026, 8:34 PM

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 10: Zach LaVine #8 of the Sacramento Kings passes the ball to P...

Zach LaVine #8 of the Sacramento Kings passes the ball to Precious Achiuwa #9 while defended by De'Anthony Melton #8 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of the preseason game at Chase Center on October 10, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Godofredo A. Vásquez/Getty Images)

(Photo by Godofredo A. Vásquez/Getty Images)

The Sacramento Kings fell to 0-3 in the preseason after a 111-106 loss in Golden State, but the night’s unfortunate standout moment was Maxime Raynaud going down with an injury.

The second-year big man went down grabbing his right knee and was eventually taken off the floor in a wheelchair.

On the court, rookies led both sides: Darius Acuff Jr. tallied 25 points and eight assists, while Yaxel Lendenborg recorded 23 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.

Sacramento Kings @ Golden State Warriors Game Notes

Doug Christie started Simmons alongside Acuff, Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Precious Achiuwa.

Simmons started the game with a back-to-the-basket fadeaway that missed, but he looked comfortable and confident from the jump.

His eventual first bucket came from a low block spin move into a right-handed hook.

first points in a Kings jersey for Ben 💪 https://t.co/xsoLcmbFma

— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) October 11, 2026

Murray felt similar, quickly finding the free-throw line. Pace has been a theme in Sacramento’s preseason, and their fast start reflected that.

Simmons’ playmaking and Achiuwa starting at center helped, but rookies on both ends led their sides in scoring.

Acuff had nine points (2/3 3P) and one assist as the Kings led 25-24 at the end of the first. Lendenborg led Golden State with 10 points (4/6 FG) and six rebounds.

Simmons picked up two early fouls, but returned to action after a short break. His ability to initiate offense and create opportunities for himself and his teammates stood out.

Both sides found ways to attack downhill and get to the free-throw line regularly.

The Warriors had a lineup somewhat similar to what you’d expect in the regular season, but Sacramento had stretches with all three rookies on the floor while Tristen Newton and two-way player Jonathan Mogbo got opportunity.

Acuff and others helped Raynaud find his go-to shot from last season, a Richaun Holmes-esque push shot from the nail.

After setting a screen late in the half, he went down holding his right knee. Clearly in a lot of pain and slow to get up, Raynaud needed a wheelchair to get to the locker room.

It was unclear whether there was significant knee-to-knee contact.

Kings center Maxime Raynaud goes down with a right knee injury, eventually carted off the floor at Chase Center in the second quarter.

Teammates & coaches show support, including Ben Simmons who remained with him while he was down. He looked to go knee-to-knee with Stephen Curry.

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) October 11, 2026

The Kings later ruled him out for the remainder of the game with an unspecified right knee injury.

Headed into halftime, Sacramento narrowly trailed (61-56) and shot 45.5% from the field (20/44), 5/15 from three, and 11/14 from the line.

The rookies still led each side. Acuff had 15 points and five assists, while Lendenborg scored 20 points, grabbed eight rebounds, and added three assists on 9/12 FG.

Christie changed the starting unit for the second half, with Mogbo and De’Andre Hunter replacing Simmons and Murray. Neither played more than 10 minutes.

Acuff and LaVine led Sacramento’s offense, as expected when they’re on the floor. Acuff added nine more points and three assists in the third, bringing his game total to 25 points and eight assists.

Sacramento’s lottery pick limped off the court late in the third quarter and didn’t return.

Brandin Podziemski, who inked a five-year, $110 million extension earlier that day, started to get his offense going as the Warriors offense became heavily reliant on three-point shooting.

But the Kings consistently fell behind the Warriors, trailing 89-81 heading into the final 12 minutes.

As is often the case with preseason hoops, practically no starters were on the floor in the final frame. That gave Clifford, Karaban, Sharp, Black, and Mogbo extended opportunities.

Sharp’s defense impressed, as usual, but it also came with fouls as he still adjusts to the NBA’s physicality and hasn’t drawn whistles.

Offense was harder to come by as Sacramento trailed 105-101 with three minutes to play. They couldn’t recover despite a solid fight and eventually fell to 111-106.