Sacramento’s Ben Simmons suffered a torn right Achilles tendon and will soon undergo surgery to repair it, the Kings announced. Although no official timetable has been given, he will likely miss the entire 2026-27 season.
Simmons confirmed the news and released this statement on Instagram.
“I have faced challenges before that have tested me mentally, physically, and emotionally, and I have found a way to overcome each of them. This injury is another chapter in my journey, not the end of my story.
“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 react 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.”
It’s a devastating blow for Simmons, who had been out of the league for a year getting his body in shape and his mind in the right place. For years, Simmons suffered from a back problem that limited him physically, caused him to miss numerous games and shook his confidence.
Taking a year off seemed to have worked. All the buzz coming out of Sacramento had been overwhelmingly positive, and Simmons, 30, was expected to start on opening night. Although it was only preseason, Simmons was moving well and playing a more offensive style, averaging 10.5 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in 17.4 minutes per preseason game.
Two seasons ago, the former No. 1 pick played in 51 games between the Nets and Clippers, averaging 5 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 52%, all from inside the arc. He showed flashes of what he could be as a floor general and leader.
The injury also has the Kings and coach Doug Christie scrambling to fill a big hole in their rotation. Don’t be surprised if Precious Achiuwa gets a lot of points with the starters, a group expected to include rookie Darius Acuff Jr., Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine and Keegan Murray.
Gn sports
