By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Sacramento Kings suffered a devastating blow days before the 2026–27 NBA Regular Season. Guard Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during a live practice drill on Sunday. An MRI confirmed the rupture. He needs surgery. He is widely expected to miss the entire season.
Reacting to his brutal setback, Simmons shared a resilient message on Instagram. “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. 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,” he wrote.
He had just joined Sacramento on a one-year, $3.5 million deal. He sat out all last year to heal and reset. In the NBA Preseason 2026, he looked like his old self, averaging 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists.
This hurdle adds to a career defined by bad luck. He was the top draft pick in 2016, a Rookie of the Year, and a three-time All-Star with the Philadelphia 76ers. Then, back issues and mental health struggles derailed his time with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers.
Now, the Kings open Wednesday against the Clippers at Intuit Dome. Their depth is already thin. Malik Monk has a bad ankle. French center Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell are both out until November, projected to sit out the first five to six games of the Regular Season.
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