Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during a practice drill on Sunday. The 30-year-old will undergo surgery, with reports indicating the injury is likely season-ending.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during a practice session on Sunday, the team announced. The injury, which occurred during a live drill, requires surgery and is expected to end Simmons' season before it begins.
The Kings confirmed that Simmons sustained the tear at the team's practice facility. An MRI subsequently confirmed the diagnosis. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the injury is expected to be season-ending. The team stated that Simmons will undergo surgery but did not provide a specific recovery timeline.
The injury comes just three days before the Kings' regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Simmons, 30, had signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Sacramento on Sept. 4. The deal was reportedly non-guaranteed, with the guard able to earn $1 million by making the opening night roster. However, per ESPN's Bobby Marks, Simmons will receive his full salary regardless due to the significance of the injury.
Simmons addressed the injury in a statement posted on social media, expressing determination despite the setback.
"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 wrote. "This injury is another chapter in my journey, not the end of my story."
He continued, "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."
Simmons, the first overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, had been attempting to revive his career after sitting out the previous season due to back and leg injuries. He previously played for the Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, and Los Angeles Clippers. During his time with the Nets and Clippers, he averaged 5.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 5.8 assists.
In the current preseason, Simmons had shown promising signs. Sources differ on the exact number of games played, with some reports citing two games and others citing five. According to NBA.com, Simmons averaged 10.5 points, four rebounds, and four assists in two games. Yahoo Sports reported he played in all five preseason games, starting in a loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Friday where he scored 14 points in 26 minutes.
The Kings had viewed Simmons as a high-upside reclamation project, expecting him to serve as a backup point guard for rookie Darius Acuff Jr. and play positions 1 through 5. Kings general manager Scott Perry had been impressed by Simmons during a workout in Miami and a meeting in late August.
The injury is a significant blow to the Sacramento Kings, who are rebuilding after a 22-60 season last year. It also marks another major setback for Simmons, whose career has been frequently interrupted by physical and mental health challenges since his early success in Philadelphia. The loss of a versatile guard who had been performing well in preseason forces the Kings to adjust their rotation immediately before the regular season begins.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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