Ben Simmons tears Achilles tendon, ending his season with the Sacramento Kings

Ben Simmons, who had signed a veteran-minimum contract with the Sacramento Kings after a year away from basketball, tore his right Achilles tendon during a team practice, according to ESPN reporter Shams Charania. The injury was reported on Sunday and will keep the 30-year-old out for the remainder of the season.

Simmons spent the 2024-25 season unsigned and focused on personal health and a maritime hobby, saying at the Kings' media day that he had not touched a basketball or watched games for a year. He credited the break with improving his mental health and said he felt ready to return to the court.

In his preseason debut, Simmons recorded 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, drawing attention as a potential rotation player for a team projected to win about 22 games. However, his season ended before it began when the Achilles injury was confirmed.

Simmons posted an Instagram statement acknowledging the setback, noting that past challenges had been overcome and expressing confidence that he would return in the future.

"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," he added.