Kings' Ben Simmons sustains torn Achilles tendon in practice, will undergo surgery

Ben Simmons' comeback might be over before it even began. The Sacramento Kings guard sustained a torn right Achilles tendon during practice, the team announced Sunday.

Per the Kings, Simmons suffered the tear during a live drill in Sunday's practice, with an MRI confirming the injury. The team said he will undergo surgery, but did not provide a return timeline.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported that the injury is expected to be season-ending.

Simmons reacted to the injury in a story on his Instagram, saying that he would be back.

"I've faced challenges before that tested me mentally, physically, and emotionally, and I've found a way through every single one of them," Simmons wrote." 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."

"I've faced challenges before that tested me mentally, physically, and emotionally, and I've found a way through every single one of them," Simmons wrote." 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, whose NBA career has been heavily hampered by injuries, was hoping to make a comeback this season. He signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Kings last month after going unsigned last year; previously, his last contract was with the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2024-25 season.

The 30-year-old Simmons, who was expected to be a backup point guard to rookie Darius Acuff Jr., played in all five of Sacramento's preseason games. Simmons started in the Kings' preseason loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, playing 26 minutes and scoring 14 points.

The deal with the Kings was reportedly a non-guaranteed deal, with the guard able to earn $1 million by making the opening night roster. However, because the injury is significant, Simmons will receive his fully salary regardless, per ESPN's Bobby Marks .

Sacramento opens the regular season on Wednesday against the Clippers.

Simmons, the 2016 No. 1 overall pick, started his career strong with the Philadelphia 76ers, but a holdout in his fifth season led to him being traded to the Brooklyn Nets. He played limited games in Brooklyn due to multiple back injuries and eventually surgery for a herniated disc; he signed with the Clippers partway through the 2024-25 season after being waived by the Nets.