Ben Simmons Tears His Achilles 3 Days Before His First Regular-Season Game Since 2024-25

Photo: NBA.com. Ben Simmons, official league headshot.

Ben Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during a live drill at Kings practice on Sunday. An MRI confirmed the tear, and Simmons will undergo surgery, the Kings announced. ESPN's Shams Charania reported the injury is season-ending for the 2016 No. 1 pick. It came three days before Sacramento opens at the Clippers and on the same day ESPN premiered "Being Ben," the E60 documentary about his comeback.

The team said further updates will be provided as appropriate.

Friday in San Antonio

The last look anybody got came Friday in San Antonio. The Kings lost the preseason finale 126-97, gave up 42 points in the first quarter and trailed 71-37 at the half, per Sactown Sports. It was also the first time Darius Acuff Jr., Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, Simmons and Domantas Sabonis shared the floor as a starting five.

Simmons was the bright spot in a bad night. He played close to 26 minutes and finished with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. Sactown Sports' Matt George called him the Kings' "best thing from this game," mostly for how he ran the offense.

Simmons came to Sacramento on a one-year, $3.5 million veteran minimum after missing all of 2025-26 and after back surgeries in May 2022 and March 2024, per Hoops Rumors, which reported the Kings were looking for a veteran backup who could mentor Acuff, the No. 7 pick. "I'm healthy. I'm ready to go," Simmons told NBC Sports. He called the year away "the best thing I've done in my career."

The Kings' guard depth

Acuff led the Kings with 17.3 points a game in a preseason Sacramento finished 0-5, per Hoops Wire. Sports Illustrated's Logan Struck projected the rookie to start Wednesday next to LaVine, Murray, Simmons and Sabonis.

Malik Monk missed the whole preseason with ankle soreness, and his status for Wednesday is uncertain. If Monk can't play, Struck projected Nique Clifford as the backup point guard with Emanuel Sharp joining him in the backcourt.

The frontcourt is short too. Maxime Raynaud and Dylan Cardwell are expected to miss at least the first five or six games, per ESPN's injury report, which leaves Precious Achiuwa as the backup center behind Sabonis.

Where Simmons goes from here

The contract runs for one season. Simmons turns 31 next summer with two back surgeries behind him and Achilles surgery ahead.

He spent a full season away from the game to get healthy. Before he signed with Sacramento, The Athletic's Sam Amick reported the Knicks and Warriors also had interest, per Hoops Rumors. Wednesday at the Clippers was supposed to be his first regular-season game since 2024-25. Instead he tore his Achilles in a practice drill the same day ESPN premiered the documentary about his comeback.

Sources

• Sacramento Kings statement, posted by Marc Stein on X: "Ben Simmons Medical Update" (injured during a live drill in practice Sunday, Oct. 18; MRI revealed a torn right Achilles tendon; Simmons will undergo surgery; further updates as appropriate). Oct. 18, 2026.
• Shams Charania on X: MRI confirmed a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon for Ben Simmons. Oct. 18, 2026.
• Sportsnet: Kings guard Ben Simmons suffers torn Achilles tendon (team announced the tear, Simmons will undergo surgery, further updates as appropriate). Oct. 18, 2026.
• Shams Charania on X, first report: Ben Simmons believed to have sustained a torn Achilles at practice Sunday, suspected season-ending. Oct. 18, 2026.
• ESPN NBA buzz: Simmons tears Achilles, likely out for the season (2016 No. 1 pick, first regular season game since 2024-25). Oct. 18, 2026.
• ESPN: Where to watch the Ben Simmons E60 documentary "Being Ben" (premieres Sunday, 4 p.m. ET). Oct. 17, 2026.
• Sactown Sports: Takeaways from the Kings' final preseason game (126-97 loss to San Antonio, 42-point first quarter, 71-37 half, first starting five together, Simmons 14 points, eight rebounds, seven assists in about 26 minutes). Oct. 18, 2026.
• Basketnews: Simmons to NBC Sports on his year away ("I'm healthy. I'm ready to go," "the best thing I've done in my career").
• Hoops Wire: Kings 0-5 preseason, Acuff 17.3 points, SI's projected opener lineup and bench, Monk ankle soreness. Oct. 18, 2026.
• ESPN injury report: Raynaud and Cardwell expected to miss at least the first five or six games.
• Hoops Rumors: Kings sign Ben Simmons to one-year deal ($3.5 million minimum, May 2022 and March 2024 back surgeries, missed 2025-26, Kings sought a veteran backup to mentor Acuff, Knicks and Warriors interest per The Athletic). Sept. 2026.
• The Dyme: Ben Simmons Signs One-Year $3.5M With the Kings.