Kings guard Ben Simmons suffers Achilles tear, out for season
Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during a practice session and is expected to miss the entire 2026-27 NBA season.
Sacramento announced that guard Ben Simmons ruptured his right Achilles tendon in a practice on Sunday, making it likely that he will miss the whole 2026-27 season. Simmons, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Kings last month, was attempting a return after sitting out the 2025-26 season to recover from lingering back and leg issues. He had been slated to start on opening night against the Los Angeles Clippers after appearing in two preseason games, where he averaged 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists. Simmons was listed in the starting lineup alongside Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis, ahead of DeAndre Hunter. Earlier this offseason, he expressed hopes of an NBA comeback and attended a player-led minicamp with the Australian national team in Melbourne, despite not having played for Australia since 2013. His last NBA action came in the 2024-25 season, when he played 51 games for the Brooklyn Nets and the Los Angeles Clippers, posting averages of 5.0 points, 5.6 assists and 4.7 rebounds.