Sacramento Kings guard-forward Ben Simmons suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during a live drill in Sunday’s practice, effectively ending his long-awaited NBA comeback before the 2026-27 regular season even began. The injury occurred just three days prior to his scheduled debut against the Los Angeles Clippers, shattering the momentum built during his return to professional basketball. Kings officials confirmed the diagnosis via MRI and announced that Simmons will undergo surgery, marking a season-ending blow to the franchise’s roster depth and strategic planning.
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The timing of the injury proved particularly cruel, as it coincided with the premiere of ESPN’s “Being Ben,” a documentary chronicling the former No. 1 overall pick’s struggle to revive his career. Shams Charania of ESPN, who broke the news, described the situation as a “devastating turn of events” on the eve of his return after extensive rehabilitation from back surgeries. The incident has sparked widespread empathy across the league, with prominent NBA personalities using terms like “gutted” and “absolutely brutal” to describe the setback for a player who had already endured years of physical adversity.
Simmons, a three-time All-Star, has not played more than 51 games in a single season since the 2020-21 campaign with the Philadelphia 76ers. He sat out the entirety of the 2025-26 season to address lingering back and leg issues, but showed significant progress during an Australian national team minicamp in August and a private workout with Kings general manager Scott Perry in Miami. His signing of a one-year deal with Sacramento signaled a fresh start, yet this latest injury raises serious questions about the durability of his long-term career trajectory and the Kings’ immediate competitive outlook.
Source: Yahoo Sports
