Achilles tear abruptly ends Ben Simmons' NBA and Australian national team comebacks - BERITAJA
Ben Simmons’ comeback effort pinch the Sacramento Kings generated much than 1 blip connected the hoops radar during the preseason earlier it came to an abrupt extremity Sunday erstwhile he suffered a torn Achilles tendon during practice.
Injuries had restricted the erstwhile No. 1 wide draught prime to appearing successful only 107 games the past 5 seasons, but his return connected a one-year $3.5 million, non-guaranteed statement had gone good capable that he was group to commencement successful the regular-season opener Wednesday against the Clippers.
Simmons, considered the top subordinate to travel retired of Australia, made news successful August by taking portion successful the nationalist team’s player-driven minicamp successful Melbourne, a precursor to the 2027 FIBA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. Simmons, 30, has ne'er played successful a awesome tourney for his location country.
He besides became an unwitting portion of an embarrassing section 3 weeks agone astatine Kings media time when unfastened microphones captured an off-air speech betwixt female reporters discussing the beingness quality and personalities of Simmons and teammates.
A woman’s sound said, “That’s what comes pinch being Ben Simmons. He is cringe, cringe,” and different female added that he is “lucky he’s truthful fine.” The first media personnel agrees, saying, “He’s a good-looking dude. His tegument is, like, truthful smooth, I was like, damn, nary tattoos?” The media members person yet to beryllium identified.
He refrained from commenting connected the speech isolated from to backmost teammate Zach LaVine, whose characteristic besides was criticized by the reporters. But Simmons will beryllium successful thoroughfare apparel from now on. The Kings said he will acquisition room to repair the tear, which usually requires a betterment play of six to 12 months.
“I’ve faced challenges earlier that tested maine mentally, physically, and emotionally, and I’ve recovered a measurement done each azygous 1 of them,” Simmons said successful a connection posted to his Instagram Stories.
Being sidelined is thing caller for Simmons. He missed his full first NBA play pinch the Philadelphia 76ers successful 2016-2017 pinch a ft injury, missed the full 2021-2022 play pinch a backmost wounded and the full 2025-2026 play to attraction connected his beingness betterment from backmost and limb issues arsenic good arsenic his intelligence well-being. He past played for the Clippers successful the outpouring of 2025, averaging 16.4 minutes and 2.9 points complete 18 games.
That accumulation was a acold outcry from the committedness he displayed coming retired of LSU, wherever in his 1 season was a statement All-American aft averaging 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists a game. A 6-foot-10 constituent guard, Simmons was NBA Rookie of the Year successful 2017-2018, joining Hall of Famers Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson arsenic the only rookies to scope 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists. And Simmons was an All-Star the adjacent 3 seasons earlier injuries began mounting.
His return this preseason was intentionally debased key, sliding onto the roster of the lowly Kings (22-60 past season) without overmuch fanfare. Simmons was softly repairing a estimation marred by his succession of injuries and the capacity worry and affectional burnout he has openly discussed.
He besides seemed keen connected representing Australia for the first time. Simmons was forced to miss the 2024 Paris Olympics pinch a backmost wounded aft passing connected the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021 Games moreover erstwhile comparatively healthy. Now immoderate benignant of return is again successful jeopardy.
