Ben Simmons suffered a torn right Achilles tendon just before his return, ending his season.

The Sacramento Kings have officially confirmed that 30-year-old Australian star Ben Simmons suffered a torn right Achilles tendon during Sunday's training session. An MRI confirmed the injury, and he is expected to undergo surgery and miss the entire 2026-27 season.

This devastating blow, coming just before the Kings' regular season opener, could cast a further shadow over the former NBA number one draft pick's career.

Simmons signed a one-year contract with the Kings this summer and showed a strong resurgence in the preseason. In the final game against the San Antonio Spurs, he put up a well-rounded stat line of 14 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists, which was initially seen as a key step in reviving his career.

The unexpected serious injury not only disrupted the Kings' rotation plans, but also made Simmons' future prospects of representing the Australian men's basketball team in the 2027 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics uncertain.

After the injury was confirmed, Simmons responded with a long post on social media: "I have faced many challenges that have tested me psychologically, physically and emotionally before, and each time I have overcome them and found a way out. This injury is just another chapter in my life journey, and it is by no means the end of my story."

"Being away from the basketball I love has never been easy, especially after all the effort I've put in to get back here. But if I've learned anything from it, it's that adversity doesn't define you; it's how you face adversity that defines who you are. I've been knocked down before, but I've always gotten back up. This time will be no exception."

This guard, who has been selected to the All-Star team three times, has been plagued by back injuries and psychological problems in recent years, and now he has to embark on a long and difficult road to recovery again.

Image source: Internet/NBA official website