Ben Simmons tears right Achilles in Sacramento practice, will miss season
Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during a live drill at Sacramento Kings practice three days before the Kings' season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers, scans showed, and he will undergo surgery. The 30-year-old, who signed a one-year deal with Sacramento to attempt a career revival, will miss the entire season.
Simmons is a former No 1 draft pick, Rookie of the Year and three-time All-Star whose career has been disrupted by injuries and mental health issues over the past five years. He rose to prominence with the Philadelphia 76ers before sitting out the 2021-22 season while dealing with mental health concerns and physical injuries.
After seeking a trade from Philadelphia, Simmons landed in Brooklyn and spent two-and-a-half injury-riddled seasons there, then finished the 2024-25 campaign with the Los Angeles Clippers. He was cut at the end of that season and sat out all of last season, a period that prompted public questioning about his commitment to the game.
Simmons had shown promising flashes in the pre-season, including a productive 26 minutes in Sacramento’s loss to San Antonio, and his early form drew support from past NBA stars. Eight-time All-Star Dwight Howard posted on X last week: “Ben Simmons going to have the greatest comeback story in NBA history!” Dirk Nowitzki and Blake Griffin also voiced belief in Simmons' potential to regain form.
Blake Griffin spoke at the NBA on Prime launch in New York, saying: “He is incredibly talented, he’s a big body and he can defend so many positions,” and added: “Downhill he gets to the rim and he’s a great passer. I want to see a great year from him because he’s a special talent and I think the league is better off with a guy like him in it.”
Simmons addressed the setback in an Instagram story, 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,” and: “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 respond 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.”
Simmons had been slated to play a key role for the rebuilding Kings alongside rookie Darius Acuff and veteran Zach LaVine, a plan now halted by the injury. He will undergo surgery and will miss the entire season, removing him from the Kings' opener against the Los Angeles Clippers.