Ben Simmons’ anticipated NBA comeback with the Sacramento Kings has suffered a major setback after the veteran guard sustained a torn right Achilles tendon during practice on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
The 30-year-old former All-Star, who signed a one-year contract with Sacramento in September, was preparing for his first NBA regular season since the 2024–25 campaign.
Instead, an injury sustained just days before the season opener has left his immediate playing future uncertain.
The Kings confirmed that an MRI revealed the Achilles tear, which will require surgery. Although the organization has not announced a specific recovery timeline, Simmons is expected to miss the entire 2026–27 NBA season.
The news presents an unexpected challenge for Sacramento’s developing roster and interrupts what had been an encouraging return to basketball for the former No. 1 overall draft pick.
How Ben Simmons Suffered His Achilles Injury
According to the NBA’s official report, Simmons sustained the injury while participating in a live drill during Sunday’s team practice.
Live drills are a regular part of NBA preparation, allowing players to practice offensive and defensive situations at competitive intensity.
The Kings did not provide extensive details about the specific movement or play that caused the injury.
Following the incident, medical evaluations confirmed a tear in Simmons’ right Achilles tendon, ending his preparations for Sacramento’s opening game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The timing is particularly unfortunate because Simmons had been making progress throughout training camp and the preseason.
After spending the previous NBA season away from competition while continuing his rehabilitation, he appeared ready to take on a meaningful role in Sacramento’s rotation.
His performances had offered early indications that he could still contribute at the professional level.
Now, the focus shifts from preparing for games to undergoing surgery and beginning another rehabilitation process.
An Encouraging Preseason Had Raised Expectations
Sacramento signed Simmons on September 4, 2026, to a one-year contract worth approximately $3.5 million.
For the Kings, the agreement offered an opportunity to add an experienced playmaker and defender without making a substantial long-term financial commitment.
For Simmons, it represented an opportunity to reestablish himself after several seasons affected by injuries and limited playing time.
The early returns were encouraging.
Across two preseason appearances, Simmons averaged:
- 10.5 points per game
- 4.0 rebounds per game
- 4.0 assists per game
- 17.5 minutes per game
One of his most promising performances came against the San Antonio Spurs, when he recorded 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 26 minutes.
Although preseason statistics cannot fully predict regular-season performance, those numbers demonstrated that Simmons could still contribute as a scorer, rebounder and distributor.
His ability to move the ball, create opportunities for teammates and defend multiple positions made him an intriguing addition to Sacramento’s roster.
The Kings were particularly interested in using his versatility to support their younger players while providing another option for managing the offense.
Unfortunately, the Achilles injury has prevented the team from exploring how that combination might have worked during meaningful regular-season games.
Why the Achilles Injury Is a Significant Setback
An Achilles tendon rupture is a serious injury for any professional athlete, particularly in a sport that requires frequent jumping, sprinting and rapid changes of direction.
The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel and plays an important role in movements such as running, accelerating and pushing off the ground.
Basketball places substantial demands on these movements throughout games and training sessions.
For Simmons, whose strengths include defensive mobility, rebounding and creating opportunities in transition, recovering sufficient strength and movement will be important parts of his rehabilitation.
Recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon can require many months, with the exact timeline depending on factors including the severity of the injury, treatment and individual rehabilitation progress.
Some NBA players have successfully returned to productive careers following Achilles injuries, although outcomes differ considerably between athletes.
At this stage, it would be premature to predict when Simmons might return to competitive basketball or what level of performance he could achieve.
His medical team will determine the appropriate rehabilitation program following surgery, while Sacramento will need to plan its season without expecting an immediate return.
Why Sacramento Took a Chance on Simmons
The Kings entered the 2026 offseason looking to improve their roster after finishing the previous season with a 22–60 record.
General manager Scott Perry viewed Simmons as a potential contributor who could provide experience and flexibility while the organization continued developing its younger players.
Before agreeing to the contract, Simmons worked out for Perry in Miami and subsequently visited Sacramento for additional evaluations.
Those sessions helped convince the organization that the veteran deserved an opportunity.
Despite questions about his recent availability, Simmons brought an impressive basketball background.
Selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA Draft, he developed into one of the league’s most distinctive young playmakers.
After missing his first NBA season because of a foot injury, Simmons earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2017–18.
He subsequently became a three-time All-Star and received multiple All-Defensive Team selections, establishing a reputation as one of the league’s most versatile defenders.
His combination of size, passing ability and defensive awareness allowed him to influence games without relying primarily on outside shooting.
However, his career became increasingly affected by physical setbacks.
Following his departure from Philadelphia, Simmons spent time with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers before sitting out the 2025–26 season.
Sacramento’s offer provided an opportunity to rebuild consistency and demonstrate that his experience could still benefit an NBA team.
His injury now means the Kings will have to evaluate those plans without seeing how Simmons might have performed over a full regular season.
What Simmons’ Absence Means for the Sacramento Kings
The immediate challenge for Sacramento is determining how to redistribute the responsibilities that Simmons was expected to handle.
His versatility would have offered the coaching staff several options, particularly when building lineups that needed additional ball movement or defensive flexibility.
Without him, the Kings may need to place greater responsibility on their existing guards and younger players.
One important figure in that process is rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr., whom Sacramento selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Acuff represents part of the organization’s longer-term development plans, and Simmons’ experience could have offered additional support as the young guard adjusted to the NBA.
The coaching staff will now need to consider how best to balance player development with the practical demands of managing an NBA rotation.
There could also be opportunities for other players to earn additional minutes during the early part of the season.
However, Sacramento has not announced a specific replacement plan, and any roster changes will depend on the team’s assessment of its available options.
The injury creates a challenge, but it does not necessarily mean the Kings must make an immediate transaction.
Much will depend on how the existing roster performs once regular-season competition begins.
Ben Simmons Responds to Another Career Setback
Following confirmation of the injury, Simmons addressed the situation through a statement shared on social media.
“This injury is another chapter in my journey, not the end of my story.”
The message reflected his intention to continue working toward a return rather than treating the latest setback as the conclusion of his basketball career.
Simmons has previously experienced extended absences from competition, including injuries that affected his availability during his time in Philadelphia and Brooklyn.
His latest rehabilitation will present another challenge, but his response suggests that he remains focused on continuing his professional career.
At 30 years old, Simmons still has time to pursue another NBA opportunity, although his future will depend on his recovery and subsequent playing condition.
His current one-year contract also adds uncertainty about where he might play once he is ready to return.
Any discussions about another agreement are likely to depend on medical progress and the decisions of interested teams.
For now, returning to full health remains the immediate priority.
What Happens Next for Simmons and the Kings?
The next stage for Simmons involves surgery followed by a structured rehabilitation program.
The Kings have not provided an official timetable for his return, and further information is expected as his treatment progresses.
Sacramento, meanwhile, must prepare for the 2026–27 season without the veteran playmaker it added in September.
The coaching staff will need to adjust its rotation plans, develop its younger players and determine whether additional roster depth becomes necessary.
For Simmons, the injury interrupts a comeback that had started to generate optimism following his preseason performances.
His brief time on the court with Sacramento demonstrated why the organization believed he could still contribute, even after a lengthy absence from regular-season basketball.
Whether that potential eventually leads to another opportunity remains uncertain.
What is clear is that Simmons faces another lengthy recovery, while the Kings must move forward without one of their most experienced offseason additions.
The coming months will help determine how his rehabilitation progresses and whether another NBA comeback becomes possible.
