SACRAMENTO — The anticipated NBA comeback of Ben Simmons has come to a crushing, premature halt. Just days before the Sacramento Kings were set to tip off their new campaign, the team confirmed that the 30-year-old star has suffered a torn right Achilles tendon.
The injury occurred during a live practice drill, abruptly cutting short what had been a highly publicized resurgence for the former All-Star. According to a statement released by the Kings, an MRI scan confirmed the severity of the tear, and Simmons is now slated to undergo season-ending surgery.
For Simmons, the news is a devastating blow in a career that has been increasingly defined by medical setbacks over the last five years. After sitting out the entirety of last season, Simmons had signed a one-year “prove-it” deal with Sacramento last month. Throughout the pre-season, he had looked poised to reclaim his role as a premier playmaker, showing flashes of the elite defensive prowess and court vision that once made him one of the league’s most feared competitors.
The durability concerns that have plagued his career once again loom large. Once a workhorse who played 81 games in his rookie season, Simmons has struggled to stay on the floor since 2019. He has not eclipsed 60 regular-season games in half a decade, managing only 50 appearances during the 2024-25 season across stints with the Brooklyn Nets and the LA Clippers.
Despite the gravity of the diagnosis, Simmons has taken to social media to vow that his career is far from over. In an Instagram post addressing the setback, he struck a defiant tone, framing the injury as merely another hurdle in his professional journey.
“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. I’ve been knocked down before, and I’ve always found a way to get back up. This time will be no different.”
The timing is particularly cruel, coming on the heels of a recent ESPN documentary in which Simmons directly addressed his critics. During the film, he vehemently pushed back against narratives suggesting he lacks passion for basketball, citing his history of playing through broken bones and undergoing multiple back surgeries as proof of his dedication. “If I didn’t love the game, trust me, I would be at home, I’d be fishing,” Simmons said. “But I love this shit.”
The Kings, who were counting on Simmons’ versatility to bolster their rotation, now must look elsewhere as they head into their season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers this Thursday. For now, the franchise and its fans are left to wonder if the Australian star will ever be granted the clean bill of health required to realize his potential.
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