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Simmons suffers horrific injury days away from NBA comeback
Australian basketball star Ben Simmons has torn his Achilles, days away from his NBA comeback season with the Sacramento Kings.
The Kings have confirmed the injury occurred at a team practice on Monday morning (AEDT).
Ben Simmons. AP Photo/Eric Gay
Simmons had starred through the pre-season and was set to play a big role for Sacramento, after spending 12 months out of the sport.
He was particularly impressive in their final pre-season outing against San Antonio, finishing with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
The 30-year-old earned lavish praise from former NBA All-Star Dwight Howard, who said Simmons would “have the greatest comeback story in NBA history”.
He was set to start for Sacramento and a strong season would have likely seen him earn a multi-year contract extension from the Kings or an NBA rival.
“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,” Simmons posted on Instagram.
“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.”
ESPN had planned to air a documentary about his comeback story on Monday evening.
Simmons took 12 months out of the game to focus on healing a back injury that had plagued him for multiple seasons, and to get his mental health in order.
During that time, he took up professional fishing among other hobbies, all of which were set to feature in the documentary, marking his return.
The Kings play their first game of the season on Thursday and will now need to rejig their entire rotation.
A torn Achilles would likely mean 10 to 12 months on the sidelines for Simmons, presuming he wants to once again attempt a comeback.
His Kings contract was only for one season, meaning he would need to be picked up by a team once again.
The injury timeline also would rule him out of 2027’s FIBA World Cup, where he had indicated his desire to represent the Boomers for the first time as an adult.
Simmons will receive his full Kings salary for the season, given the significance of the injury – just over $5m.
Fans and experts alike have expressed their dismay at the injury news on social media.
