Ben Simmons to Undergo Surgery After Achilles Tear at Kings Practice

Conceptual illustration of a basketball beside an empty purple bench on an indoor practice court

Updated: 19 October 2026, 10:53 a.m. AEDT

Australian basketballer Ben Simmons will undergo surgery after tearing his right Achilles tendon during Sacramento Kings practice on Sunday, 18 October, in the United States. An MRI confirmed the injury following a live drill, according to the NBA’s report of the Kings’ announcement.

The injury is a major setback to Simmons’ planned return to the NBA after signing with Sacramento in September. The 30-year-old had been preparing for the new regular season with the Kings.

Yahoo Sports independently reported the team’s confirmation of the tear and planned operation. Its report said the Kings had not provided a timetable for his return.

ESPN reporter Shams Charania described the injury as season-ending, as quoted in the NBA’s coverage. That reported outlook is separate from the team’s recovery guidance: no official return date was announced in the statements reviewed.

Sacramento is scheduled to open its regular season against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday in the United States. For Australian followers, the immediate confirmed next step for Simmons is surgery, with further recovery information still to come.

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