Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon in practice on Sunday, the team announced. He is now likely to miss the entire 2026-27 season, as the Kings have not set aside time to recover. Simmons, who signed a one-year $3.5 million deal with Sacramento last month, is trying to return to play in the NBA again after sitting out the 2025-26 season while rehabilitating from slow back and leg injuries.
Simmons was expected to start in Sacramento on opening night against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday after starting in the Royals’ most recent preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs. Simmons played in two preseasons and averaged 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists.
The three-time NBA All-Star was the starting linebacker alongside Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis, and preceded DeAndre Hunter, who was acquired by Sacramento last season in a trade deal.
Simmons has been vocal this offseason about his dreams of a potential NBA comeback before signing with Sacramento weeks before training camp. Earlier this summer he traveled to Melbourne to participate in the Australian national team’s minicamp, despite not having played for Australia since he was a teenager in 2013.
Simmons last played in the NBA during the 2024-25 season, when he appeared in 51 games for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. During that season, Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds.
Before signing with Sacramento, Simmons reportedly had interest from the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors, per The Athletic.