SACRAMENTO — Guard Ben Simmons suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during practice on Sunday, October 18, abruptly halting his comeback bid with the Sacramento Kings before playing a single regular-season game.
According to the franchise, the 30-year-old Australian sustained the injury during a live drill and will require surgery. The setback strikes just three days before the team opens its regular-season campaign on Wednesday night on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Simmons took to social media following the diagnosis to address his supporters, writing: “I’ve faced challenges before that tested me mentally, physically, and emotionally, and I’ve found a way through every single one of them. This injury is another chapter in my journey, not the end of my story.”
The former No. 1 overall pick signed a one-year contract with Sacramento this past summer in an effort to rejuvenate his professional career. Once a three-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year with the Philadelphia 76ers—where he earned consecutive All-Defensive selections—Simmons has faced a prolonged battle with injuries and performance struggles in recent years, including back and leg issues that sidelined him for the entirety of the previous season.
Following a tumultuous departure from Philadelphia and a subsequent stint with the Brooklyn Nets, Simmons finished the 2024-25 season with the Clippers before spending last year out of the league.
During his tenure with Brooklyn and Los Angeles, his production dipped to averages of 5.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game.
The Kings are entering the new campaign following a 22-60 season, looking to pivot toward a rebuild centered around rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr., the seventh overall selection out of Arkansas.