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# Ben Simmons tears Achilles before his NBA comeback begins
- URL: https://www.bushletter.com/simmons-tears-achilles-at-kings-practice-out-for-season/
- Published: 2026-10-20T20:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-21T00:51:48.000Z
- Description: The Australian will undergo surgery and is expected to miss another NBA season, having sat out the previous campaign with back and leg injuries.
- Author: Bushletter Newsroom
- Tags: Sport, Australia

TLDR

Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during a Sacramento Kings practice on 18 October, ending his comeback attempt before the season began. Surgery is confirmed and he is expected to miss the 2026-27 NBA season.

## Injury confirmed during live drill

Ben Simmons suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during a live drill at Sacramento Kings practice on Sunday, 18 October, ending his comeback bid before he played a single regular-season game. An MRI confirmed the diagnosis and the Kings announced Simmons will undergo surgery. He is expected to miss the 2026-27 season.[\[1\]](https://www.nba.com/news/kings-guard-ben-simmons-suffers-torn-achilles-tendon-during-practice-sunday?ref=bushletter.com)

The Kings issued a statement confirming the details: "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. Simmons will undergo surgery. Further updates will be provided as appropriate."[\[1\]](https://www.nba.com/news/kings-guard-ben-simmons-suffers-torn-achilles-tendon-during-practice-sunday?ref=bushletter.com)

## Simmons responds to another setback

Simmons addressed the injury publicly after the Kings' announcement. "I've faced challenges before that tested me mentally, physically, and emotionally, and I've found a way through every single one of them. This injury is another chapter in my journey, not the end of my story," he said.[\[3\]](https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/kings-ben-simmons-suffers-torn-achilles-at-practice-sunday-will-miss-entire-season?ref=bushletter.com)

## A comeback derailed again

Simmons signed a one-year, $3.5 million veteran minimum contract with the Sacramento Kings on 8 September 2026, aiming to revive an NBA career that had been dormant for more than a year.[\[2\]](https://www.nba.com/news/ben-simmons-1-year-deal-sacramento-kings?ref=bushletter.com) He had sat out the entire 2025-26 season rehabilitating back and leg injuries before agreeing to the deal.

Selected first overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2016 NBA draft after one season at LSU, Simmons won Rookie of the Year in 2018 and earned three All-Star selections. Recurring injuries and a high-profile holdout with Philadelphia from 2021 onwards interrupted what had been a rapidly ascending career.

The Kings open their season on Wednesday on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers.[\[1\]](https://www.nba.com/news/kings-guard-ben-simmons-suffers-torn-achilles-tendon-during-practice-sunday?ref=bushletter.com)

KEY TAKEAWAYS

01An MRI confirmed a torn right Achilles tendon after Simmons went down in a live drill on 18 October.

02Simmons is expected to miss the 2026-27 NBA season; the Kings gave no timetable.

03Simmons signed a one-year, $3.5 million veteran minimum deal with Sacramento on 8 September 2026.

04The former No. 1 draft pick and three-time All-Star had already missed the entire 2025-26 season.

05The Kings open their season on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

SOURCES & CITATIONS

1. [Kings guard Ben Simmons suffers torn Achilles tendon during practice Sunday, NBA.com (AP)](https://www.nba.com/news/kings-guard-ben-simmons-suffers-torn-achilles-tendon-during-practice-sunday?ref=bushletter.com)
2. [NBA.com: Ben Simmons signs one-year deal with Sacramento Kings](https://www.nba.com/news/ben-simmons-1-year-deal-sacramento-kings?ref=bushletter.com)
3. [NBC Sports: Kings, Ben Simmons suffers torn Achilles, will miss entire season](https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/kings-ben-simmons-suffers-torn-achilles-at-practice-sunday-will-miss-entire-season?ref=bushletter.com)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long will Ben Simmons be out?

Simmons is expected to miss the 2026-27 NBA season after surgery to repair a torn right Achilles tendon sustained on 18 October 2026\. The Kings gave no official timetable.

What deal did Simmons sign with the Kings?

Simmons agreed to a one-year, $3.5 million veteran minimum contract with Sacramento on 8 September 2026, after sitting out all of the 2025-26 season with back and leg injuries.

What does the injury mean for Australia's Boomers?

The Kings have not given a recovery timetable, so it is not yet known when Simmons could play for Australia again.