Ben Simmons' season is over. The Kings guard tore his Achilles tendon and will have surgery, Sacramento announced Sunday. He's 30 years old.
This comes after Simmons had a strong training camp on short notice with the Kings. He'd been working to get back on the court after injuries limited him the past two seasons. Now that window closes.
A torn Achilles is one of the worst injuries in basketball. The recovery timeline runs long, and players often need a full year to return to form. For a 30-year-old veteran, the calculus gets harder. Simmons won't play again this season.
The Kings were banking on Simmons as a secondary ball-handler and defender alongside their core. His injury forces Sacramento to adjust its rotation and depth chart. They'll need other guards to step up.