Ben Simmons' comeback has ended before it began. The Sacramento Kings point guard ruptured his right Achilles tendon during a Sunday practice drill, according to ESPN's Shams Charania and confirmed by the franchise. Simmons will require surgery and miss the entire season just three days before the Kings open their campaign Wednesday against the Clippers.
Simmons, 30, had signed a one-year veteran minimum contract in September with the intention of reviving his career after missing the entire previous season due to back and leg issues. During the preseason, he showed some promise: averaging 10.5 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists in two games, and in his last outing against the Spurs, he posted 14 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.
From No. 1 Pick to a Career Marked by Injuries
The injury is another blow to a career that promised so much. Selected first overall in the 2016 draft by the Philadelphia 76ers after one season at LSU, Simmons missed his first season with a foot injury, but then exploded: he was Rookie of the Year in 2017-18, an All-Star in the next three seasons, a member of the NBA's third-best team in 2019-20 and the All-Defensive First Team in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
Everything changed in 2021-22. Simmons didn't play all season due to mental health issues, physical ailments and his desire to leave Philadelphia, and at the trade deadline he was dealt to the Brooklyn Nets. In Brooklyn, his back prevented him from regaining his best form. The Nets released him in February 2025 and he finished that season as a reserve with the Clippers. Between both teams he averaged just 5.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists.
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A Blow to the Kings' Rebuild
For Sacramento, the loss comes amid a rebuild. The Kings are coming off a 22-60 season and finished the preseason winless. Now the focus shifts to rookie Darius Acuff Jr., the No. 7 pick in the latest draft after a strong season at Arkansas. Simmons was supposed to provide experience and direction to the second unit.