Ben Simmons Tears Achilles, Expected to Miss Season

Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during a Sacramento Kings live practice drill on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The Kings confirmed the MRI finding, said he will undergo surgery, and he is expected to miss the 2026-27 season. He had signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract in September after missing all of 2025-26 and not playing since April 2025. Preseason included 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in 26 minutes against San Antonio and nine points and one assist in nine minutes against Golden State. The Kings open on the road against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. Dwight Howard, per the Sydney Morning Herald, had called the return the "greatest comeback story in NBA history," with ESPN reportedly preparing a documentary. Preseason averages diverged: BasketNews had 6.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.7 assists in 17.5 minutes across three games; USA TODAY Sports had 5.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists. Career averages over seven seasons were 13.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, 7.2 assists and 1.5 steals; he is a three-time All-Star.