The place the Sacramento Kings are involved, all “pleasure” is relative. However this crew, which tasks to be among the many NBA’s worst, loved one charming preseason storyline: the obvious revival of Ben Simmons as an precise rotation participant. The basketball gods have chosen to deprive them and their followers of even this meager consolation. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Sunday that Simmons tore his proper Achilles tendon throughout a Kings follow, ending his season earlier than it actually started.
Simmons, a former All-NBA choice, went fully unsigned throughout the 2025-26 season. He intentionally distanced himself from basketball throughout that point, not even watching a recreation till the playoffs. That distance allowed the 30-year-old to pursue a maritime ardour—sport fishing—and likewise allowed him to rebuild himself right into a participant adequate to signal the veteran minimal for a crew projected by ESPN to win 21.7 video games.
“I did not contact a ball for the entire yr,” Simmons informed reporters at Kings media day. “I did not watch basketball. I simply targeted on getting my physique proper and my thoughts proper.” A number of again surgical procedures had siphoned away his former athleticism. However Simmons noticed a “night time and day” distinction in his psychological well being, after permitting his again to heal in his yr off; affirmed his love of the game; and, when requested if he might get again to his previous self, stated: “He is there. He awoke.”
Certainly, Simmons regarded fairly awake in final week’s preseason blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He logged 14 factors, eight rebounds, seven assists, and, most spectacular of all, drew 4 free throws and made all of them. Positive, why not? For sure perverts throughout the Defector basketball cohort, the sight of Simmons throwing transition dimes was nostalgic, electrical, and an solely partially ironic supply of delight. His quotes had been encouraging, as was his willingness to direct his gaze on the hoop and launch the sphere towards it. A model of Ben Simmons that may play fairly good protection throughout a number of positions and get into the paint with out deathly concern of contact is sweet sufficient to absorb some minutes for the dregs of the Western Convention. Additionally, it is laborious to not root for the redemption of any determine reviled principally by Philadelphians. “Ben is SO BACK!!!” crowed the NBA Australia YouTube account.
The optimism did not even get to final till opening day. Simmons posted the next assertion on his Instagram story Sunday night time:
I’ve confronted challenges earlier than that examined me mentally, bodily, and emotionally, and I’ve discovered a method via each single one in all them. This damage is one other chapter in my journey, not the tip of my story.
It’s by no means straightforward being away from the sport I really like, particularly after every little thing it took to get again right here. But when there’s one factor I’ve realized, it’s that adversity doesn’t outline you. The way you reply to it does.
I’ve been knocked down earlier than, and I’ve all the time discovered a strategy to get again up. This time might be no completely different. ❤️😤
This damage information sadly coincided with the discharge of an ESPN documentary about Simmons: Being Ben, which “explores the ups and downs of his time within the league and the lifelong ardour he has for fishing.” Maintain your head up, king.
