Ben Simmons has suffered a cruel setback before the regular season has even tipped off.
The Sacramento Kings announced Sunday that the 30-year-old tore his right Achilles tendon during a live drill in practice. An MRI confirmed the injury, and he will undergo surgery. The team gave no timeline, but ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Ben Simmons Achilles tear is expected to end his season.
Strong Preseason Turns to Heartbreak
Simmons had been one of the feel-good stories of camp. He appeared in all five preseason games and started Friday’s loss to the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 14 points in 26 minutes. He was in line to back up rookie point guard Darius Acuff Jr.
On Instagram, Simmons vowed to return. He wrote that he has overcome mental, physical and emotional tests before, called the injury a new chapter rather than the end of his story, and promised he would get back up again.
What the Injury Means for His Contract
Simmons signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Sacramento last month after going unsigned the previous season. The contract was reportedly non-guaranteed, with $1 million locked in if he made the opening night roster. According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, the severity of the injury means he will now receive the full salary.
The 2016 No. 1 overall pick began his career as a star with the Philadelphia 76ers before a holdout led to a trade to the Brooklyn Nets. Back problems, including surgery for a herniated disc, limited him in Brooklyn before he finished the 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The blow lands on a Kings team that ranked last in the latest NBA preseason power rankings. Sacramento opens the season Wednesday against the Clippers.
For Simmons, the Ben Simmons Achilles injury is the latest test in a career shaped by setbacks, and the road back now starts over.
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