Ben Simmons remains determined to resume his NBA career after tearing his right Achilles tendon, telling Marc J. Spears of Andscape that returning to the league is his only goal.
“My mentality is that I’ll be back,” Simmons told Spears. “I’ll do everything in my power to get back, get healthy and be better than I was before.”
The Sacramento Kings forward underwent surgery on October 20 in New York after suffering the injury during a practice drill on October 18. The setback ended his comeback before the regular season began and means he will miss a second consecutive season and a fourth overall because of injuries.
Simmons had appeared to be regaining his form during Sacramento’s preseason. Across two games, he averaged 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 17.5 minutes, including a 14-point, eight-rebound, seven-assist performance against the San Antonio Spurs on October 17.
The three-time All-Star was expected to start and serve as a team captain for the Kings. Instead, he will begin rehabilitation in Sacramento, where the organization has offered its support. The Kings will pay his full $3 million salary for the 2026-27 season, Spears reported.
Simmons said general manager Scott Perry, owner Vivek Ranadive, head coach Doug Christie and his teammates had supported him since the injury. Zach LaVine has already visited him, while other teammates have offered to do the same.
The 30-year-old also said he intends to return for the 2027-28 season and hopes to continue with Sacramento.
His last NBA appearance came on April 29, 2025, when he played for the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series against the Denver Nuggets.
Simmons was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft and made three All-Star teams during his time with Philadelphia. He averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists across his first four NBA seasons, but injuries have limited his availability in subsequent years.
