Ben Simmons’ planned comeback to the NBA has been hit by a serious setback after the Sacramento Kings guard ruptured his right Achilles tendon in practice on Sunday. The injury is likely to keep him out for the whole 2026-27 season, though the team has not given a precise recovery timetable.
The 30-year-old signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal with Sacramento last month after sitting out the entire 2025-26 campaign while recovering from ongoing back and leg issues. He had been getting ready to restart his NBA career and was expected to be part of the Kings’ starting lineup when the new season began.
Ben Simmons’ injury ends the Kings’ comeback hopes
Simmons was set to start for Sacramento in Wednesday’s season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers. He had started the Kings’ latest preseason game against the San Antonio Spurs and played in two exhibition matches, averaging 10.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists.
The three-time NBA All-Star had been named in a starting five alongside Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, and Domantas Sabonis. His expected role put him ahead of DeAndre Hunter, who joined Sacramento at last season’s trade deadline.
But the Achilles injury has brought those plans to an abrupt halt before the regular season has even started. Sacramento must now get ready for the campaign without a player who had been expected to make an immediate impact after his return.
Simmons’ NBA comeback followed a season away
Simmons had been open during the offseason about his desire to return to the NBA. Earlier in the summer, he went to Melbourne to take part in a player-led minicamp with the Australian national team, even though he had not played for Australia since 2013, when he was a teenager.
His most recent NBA season was in 2024-25, when he played 51 games for the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers. In those appearances, he averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds.
Before agreeing to join Sacramento, Simmons had reportedly drawn interest from the New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors, according to The Athletic. His move to the Kings had given him a chance to restart his career, but the latest injury has left his return in serious doubt.