Quick Answer

“Looking for Ben Simmons’ Latest Injury Update? The Sacramento Kings star suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during a live practice drill on Sunday, October 18, 2026, and is expected to undergo season-ending surgery.”

An MRI confirmed the torn Achilles tendon, and the team stated that he will have surgery but gave no indication of when he would return. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the injury is expected to be season-ending, so Simmons will likely miss the entire 2026-27 NBA season.

The Injury, Explained Simply

Ben Simmons was finally having the comeback his fans so desperately wanted. Having sat out the entire 2025-26 campaign, the 30-year-old former All-Star signed with the Sacramento Kings and looked good during the preseason. But one practice drill changed things.

Simmons was diagnosed with a torn right Achilles tendon after the team released a statement about the injury. The Achilles is a strong band of connective tissue that runs from your calf to your heel. It’s one a body’s strongest tendon, but also one of the most painful to recover if it’s torn. Full recovery from an Achilles tear typically involves surgery and months of rehab.

This wasn’t the result of a slow, nagging pain that got worse over time, however. The Kings revealed on social media that star forward Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during a practice drill a few days prior to the regular season starting, per Mark Stein.

How It Happened

Simmons did not suffer an injury as the result of a game or player contact. It occurred while he was participating in a live practice drill in Sacramento, Sunday, October 18, 2026, three days before the Kings’ season opener against the Los Angeles Clippers. An Achilles injury is typically suffered as the result of a sudden push off or directional change, which means it was not caused by player contact, but rather a biomechanical issue. Injuries of this nature can be especially difficult for players and teams to absorb given the lack of an easily identifiable culprit

Why This Comeback Mattered So Much

To understand what news could be so damaging to Simmons’ morale, you need to know what the player was through before sustaining a career-ending injury. He only managed to appear in 108 games during his five-year tenure with the Brooklyn Nets and Los Angeles Clippers, and both were short-term rentals for the star player. It is difficult to imagine that Simmons would have only appeared in 108 games if he had not sustained a serious injury. It is assumed that before his injuries, Simmons had made three All-Star teams and was one of the best defenders in the league.

Simmons has missed the whole 2025-26 season because he was out of action and only reappeared on the court when he signed with the Kings. As of now, he has managed to average 10.5 points, four rebounds, and four assists in two preseason games, and he has also been named backup point guard for Darius Acuff Jr., who is a rookie. Simmons even started for the Kings during the preseason loss against the San Antonio Spurs and scored 14 points in 26 minutes on the court. That is why losing was so heartbreaking for him and the fans of his team.

What This Means for His Contract and Future

There’s at least one small silver lining in an otherwise rough situation. Simmons had signed a non-guaranteed deal that would have paid him $1 million for making the opening night roster, but because the injury is significant, he’ll now receive his full salary regardless.

As for his career, Simmons isn’t ready to call it quits. He said the injury is another chapter in his journey, not the end of his story. On social media, Simmons reacted to the injury on his Instagram, saying he would be back.

What Happens Next

Simmons is expected to have surgery to repair the torn tendon. The typical recovery time for an Achilles surgery is between 9 and 12 months, which is in line with the fact that he will be out for the entire 2026-27 season. This is another setback for the Kings, who have the opening night of the season on Wednesday against the Clippers. They will already be missing a key player in their rotation.

Quick Timeline

Early October 2026: Simmons speaks about being grateful for the chance to compete again after a year away from basketball.
October 10, 2026: Simmons plays in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors.
October 17, 2026: Simmons starts in a preseason loss to the San Antonio Spurs, scoring 14 points in 26 minutes.
October 18, 2026: Simmons tears his right Achilles tendon during a live practice drill in Sacramento. An MRI confirms the injury.
October 19-21, 2026: Kings prepare to open the season without Simmons as his surgery is scheduled.

FAQ

What injury did Ben Simmons suffer? He suffered a torn right Achilles tendon, confirmed by an MRI after he was hurt during a practice drill.

Is Ben Simmons out for the whole season? Reports indicate the injury is expected to be season-ending, though the Kings have not released an official return timeline.

How did Ben Simmons get injured? He was hurt during a live drill in a Sacramento Kings practice session, not during a game or through contact with another player.

Will Ben Simmons still get paid? Yes. Even though his contract was non-guaranteed, the severity of the injury means he’ll receive his full salary for the season.

Has Ben Simmons dealt with injuries before? Yes. He’s battled multiple back injuries in recent years and has played in only a limited number of games over the past five seasons.

Will Ben Simmons play in the NBA again? He has said publicly that he intends to come back, calling this setback part of his journey rather than the end of it.