News Article
Published
Oct 18, 2026 at 09:32 PM EDT
This was supposed to be Ben Simmons’ year. This was supposed to be the year the Sacramento Kings could maybe prove themselves with Simmon’s presence and talent.
Those hopes of watching him light the beam at the Golden One Center are now dead and buried after it was announced that the Kings guard suffered a torn right Achilles during a live drill at practice on Sunday.
“Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons was injured during a live drill in practice on Sunday, Oct. 18. An MRI revealed a torn right Achilles tendon,” the Kings said in a press release. “Simmons will undergo surgery.”
NBA reporter Mark Stein shared the statement on X and was in shock by the sudden development.
“Devastating in Sacramento for Ben Simmons to sustain such a serious injury just as he was about to make his official NBA comeback,” Stein said. “If an Achilles tear is confirmed it would be the third already this month following Philadelphia’s Ariel Hukporti and Oklahoma City’s Otega Oweh.”
Simmons jumped on Instagram to confirm that he will be returning in an emotional post.
“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 said. “This injury is another chapter in my journey, not the end of my 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.
“I’ve been knocked down before, and I’ve always found a way to get back up. This time will be no different.”
Simmons signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with the Kings in September. He sat out the entire 2025-26 season to rehabilitate his body from his lingering back and leg injuries.
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