Ben Simmons tears Achilles during Sacramento’s practice

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Ben Simmons’ highly anticipated NBA return quickly turned into a nightmare.

On Oct. 19, 2026, the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during a practice session, as announced by the Sacramento Kings.

“Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons was injured during a live drill in practice on Sunday,” Sacramento confirmed.

“An MRI revealed a torn right Achilles tendon. Simmons will undergo surgery. Further updates will be provided as appropriate.”

After signing a one-year, USD 3.5 million veteran minimum contract with the Kings on Sept. 5, all eyes were on Simmons, who last played in the NBA during the 2024-25 season.

Simmons was already flashing his potential and chemistry with Sacramento during the NBA preseason, when he played two games against the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs.

The Australian ball handler stole the show against Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs, filling the stat sheet with an all-around performance of 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in just 25 minutes of playing time.

However, Simmons won’t be able to reinforce the Kings in Sacramento’s season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers and has been ruled out by management for the entire season.

Simmons was supposed to start for the Kings as the team’s point guard after head coach Doug Christie expressed the team’s dire need for an experienced and legitimate floor general.

Together with Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis, the Kings were projected to improve on last season’s dismal finish, having capped their 2025-26 campaign with a disappointing 22-60 record.

“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 posted on his Instagram story.

“It’s never easy being away from the game I love, especially after everything it took to get back here. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that adversity doesn’t define you. How you respond to it does.”