AN MRI has confirmed that Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons suffered a season-ending tear of his right Achilles tendon during practice on Sunday.
A three-time All-Star and former No. 1 overall draft choice of the Philadelphia 76ers in 2016, Simmons had dealt with a number of injuries in recent seasons and was attempting to make a comeback with the Kings after rehabilitating from back surgery.
Simmons did not play in 2025-26. He saw action in 51 games for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers in 2024-25. He spent four seasons (2017-21) in Philadelphia, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2017-18 and All-Star honors in his final three campaigns with the 76ers.
Philadelphia traded him during a tumultuous 2021-22 season to Brooklyn, but Simmons was injured (back) and did not debut with the Nets until the 2022-23 season.
Simmons impressed Kings brass in offseason workouts, agreeing to a one-year, $3.5-million deal with Sacramento on Sept. 4 after passing their medical evaluations.
Sacramento had hoped Simmons would provide depth at all five positions, though particularly at point guard, where rookie Darius Acuff, Jr. will be relied upon to start from Day 1.
Instead, Simmons is looking at another significant health setback. — Reuters