Sacramento Kings guard-forward Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during team practice on Sunday, ruling him out for the entire 2026-27 season just three days before his planned NBA return, the team announced.
Simmons suffered the injury during a live drill. An MRI exam confirmed the complete tear, and he will soon undergo surgery, ESPN first reported before the Kings officially confirmed the diagnosis.
Simmons, 30, was poised to start Wednesday’s regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers. The three-time All-Star had not appeared in a regular-season contest since the 2024-25 season, having spent the entire 2025-26 campaign away from the league while rehabilitating chronic back and nerve problems.
The setback comes after a promising preseason run in which Simmons earned starting duties. Over two exhibition games, he averaged 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 17.4 minutes per game while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor. Kings head coach Doug Christie praised Simmons during training camp for his defensive versatility, telling reporters that Simmons could guard every position on the floor.
A Long Road Derailed
The injury occurred the same day ESPN premiered an E60 documentary titled “Being Ben,” which chronicled his attempt to revive his career following multiple back surgeries. Simmons addressed the devastating injury later Sunday in an Instagram post, expressing determination to return to the court eventually.
“This injury is another chapter in my journey, not the end of my story,” Simmons wrote. “It’s never easy being away from the game I love, especially after everything it took to get back here. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that adversity doesn’t define you. How you respond to it does. I’ve been knocked down before, and I’ve always found a way to get back up. This time will be no different.”
The former No. 1 overall draft pick was named NBA Rookie of the Year and selected to three All-Star teams with the Philadelphia 76ers before physical issues and mental health concerns disrupted his career. He played in just 108 games across five seasons during brief tenures with the Brooklyn Nets and the Clippers before sitting out last season.
Roster and Financial Impact
Simmons signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Sacramento in September after completing a workout in Miami for Kings general manager Scott Perry. Although league reporting indicated the pact was initially non-guaranteed, ESPN front-office insider Bobby Marks reported that Simmons will still receive his full salary under league salary continuation rules for players who sustain major injuries.
Sacramento must now adjust its rotation ahead of opening night. The Kings finished tied for the worst record in the Western Conference at 22-60 last season and went winless during this year’s preseason. Simmons was slated to start alongside rookie Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine, Domantas Sabonis and Keegan Murray, leaving Christie to evaluate replacement options such as forward Precious Achiuwa before hosting the Clippers on Wednesday.
