Ben Simmons, who signed a veteran’s minimum contract in September, suffered a torn Achilles tendon in practice.
Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during practice Sunday, ending his attempt at a comeback this season with the Sacramento Kings before the season even started.
The Kings said Simmons was injured during a live drill and will have surgery three days before Wednesday night’s season opener on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers. Sham Charania of ESPN was first to report the news.
Simmons signed a one-year contract with Sacramento this summer as he tried to revive his career.
Simmons signed a veteran minimum contract in September. The eight-year veteran planned to make a return to the NBA after sitting out last season due to rehab. Simmons played in 51 games last season, splitting the season between the Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers.
In a statement via his IG story, Ben Simmons of Sacramento says in part: “I’ve been knocked down before and I’ve always found a way to get back up. This time will be no different.” https://t.co/anFVzx7UJs pic.twitter.com/Ub8Rn7vR8L
– Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 19, 2026
The 30-year-old Australian is a former No. 1 overall draft pick, three-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year, but has struggled to perform and stay healthy in recent years. He sat out last season with back and leg injuries after finishing the 2024-25 season in a reserve role for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Simmons was Philadelphia’s No. 1 overall pick in 2016 after playing one season in college at LSU. He missed his freshman season with an injured foot, but quickly became a star player for the 76ers upon his return. He was named Rookie of the Year in 2017-18, an All-Star the following three seasons, as well as a third-team All-NBA player in 2019-20 and a first-team All-Defense selection in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
But his career was not the same after missing the 2021-22 season while dealing with mental health issues, other physical injuries and seeking a trade to Philadelphia.
He was sent to Brooklyn at the 2022 trade deadline, but missed the remainder of the season with a back soreness. He then played 2 1/2 seasons with the Brooklyn before being cut in February 2025. He finished this season with the Los Angeles Clippers before sitting out last season.
But he was never close to his level of play early in his career in Philadelphia, averaging 5.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists during his time with the Nets and Clippers. Simmons appeared in two preseason games with the Kings, averaging 10.5 ppg, 4.0 RPG and 4.0 APG.
Sacramento is coming off a 22-60 season and is trying to rebuild around rookie Darius Acuff Jr., who was selected No. 7 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft after a strong freshman season at Arkansas.
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