Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons (25) during media day at Golden 1 Center.
Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
After taking a year away from basketball, Ben Simmons signed with the Sacramento Kings in the offseason to remind people of what he could do on the court when he's healthy. Unfortunately, that will have to take another pause after he suffered a torn Achilles in practice, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
“Just in: Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons is believed to have sustained a torn Achilles tendon at practice Sunday, sources tell ESPN. A suspected season-ending injury for Simmons after rejuvenated and impressive training camp and preseason performances,” Charania wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Simmons was set to be in the starting lineup for the Kings to start the season, and he would've been alongside rookie Darius Acuff Jr. Now, the Kings will have to pivot, and Simmons will focus on trying to get better as he tries to make another comeback next season.
It's unfortunate news for Simmons, as he played well during the preseason and looked rejuvenated after taking off a year from the league. The Kings were the one team during the offseason that showed real interest in him, and general manager Scott Perry shared how the guard found his way to Sacramento.
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“Earlier in the summer, Ben was playing over in Australia working out with the Australian national team and a couple of members of my staff were in touch with people who were there watching that camp and people we value their evaluations or opinions on what’s going on,” Perry said. “Ben is healthy now and he’s really looking to make a comeback in the game and is really interested – just looking for the right place.”
Simmons was going to be another key piece for the Kings this season as they try to improve from last year, and now they'll have to have the next-man-up mentality.