Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons has suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear, abruptly halting his attempted career revival before the first regular-season tip-off. The 30-year-old Australian star injured his right Achilles during a live practice drill on Sunday, forcing the franchise to confirm he will require surgery. This devastating setback comes just three days before the Kings’ season opener on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, leaving Sacramento without a key defensive anchor and playmaker for the entire 2024-25 campaign.
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Simmons signed a one-year contract with Sacramento this summer in a bid to reestablish himself as an NBA impact player after a turbulent period with the Los Angeles Clippers. His recent tenure has been marred by persistent back and leg issues, which caused him to sit out the entirety of the previous season after serving in a reserve role in 2023-24. The injury underscores the fragility of his comeback narrative, as the former No. 1 overall pick continues to battle physical limitations that have derailed his trajectory since his peak years in Philadelphia.
Once a dominant force, Simmons was selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016 and quickly ascended to stardom, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2017-18. He solidified his status as an elite two-way player with three All-Star selections, a third-team All-NBA nod in 2019-20, and two first-team All-Defense honors. However, his subsequent struggles with health and performance have left his legacy in transition, and this Achilles tear represents a significant hurdle in his final push to regain former glory.
Source: Yahoo Sports
