Ben Simmons Injured, Latest Updates on Kings Star’s Achilles and NBA Return Status

Ben Simmons’ return to the NBA was cut short before it could truly begin.

The Sacramento Kings announced Sunday that Simmons suffered a torn right Achilles tendon. He will undergo surgery that is expected to sideline him for the entire 2026-27 season.

Simmons, 30, had a solid preseason for the Kings after missing the entire 2025-26 campaign, averaging 10.5 points, four rebounds and four assists in two games. He was expected to earn a starting spot on the team heading into Wednesday night’s season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.

There was a lot of optimism regarding Simmons:

The last few years have been tough for Simmons from a basketball perspective.

Since leaving Philadelphia during the 2021-22 campaign, he has played in just 108 games over the past five years during brief stints with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. He didn’t join a team at all during the 2025-26 season and was completely away from the sport, but he certainly seemed excited to be back this season.

“When you’ve done something your whole life and you’re used to it, it’s a big part of who I am,” Simmons told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears earlier in October. “I know what I am without basketball now. But I also know that it’s a big part of my life now. I’m just grateful to be able to compete and play. And also to know that when that’s done, I have (another) part of my life, which is cool.”

Unfortunately, this return will now be suspended for another year.