TRENDING Fantasy Basketball sign up 49ers keep rolling Rays heading to World Series Reese, Dream get even Hurts reportedly out for season Story by Story by How Ben Simmons' Achilles injury derailed his NBA comeback and intriguing documentary Marcus D. Smith, USA TODAY Tue, October 20, 2026 at 3:30 AM UTC · 6 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the biggest moves the Sacramento Kings made during the offseason was taking a chance on former All-Star Ben Simmons , who missed all of the 2025-26 season to focus on rehabilitation recovering from lingering injuries in his back and knees.
His resurgence was profiled by ESPN in their E60 series "Being Ben ," a 60-minute in-depth documentary that goes behind the scenes into Simmons' thoughts and emotions upon his return to the NBA and overcoming past wounds.
The documentary, hosted by ESPN's Andscape senior writer Marc Spears, premiered on ESPN on Sunday, Oct. 18 at 4 p.m. ET. The a non-fiction motion picture took a peak into Simmons' life away from the NBA, how he's processed his career up to this point and what he has been up to during his time away.
Simmons was a free agent before choosing to commit to Sacramento, and there was tremendous interest in his comeback story. However, all the excitement for the documentary's release was derailed just hours later when the Kings announced Simmons tore his right Achilles' tendon during a live practice drill – likely ending his season before it even began.
Sacramento Kings forward Ben Simmons (25) drives to the basket between San Antonio Spurs forward Keldon Johnson (3) and center Tarris Reed, Jr. (10) during a preseason game on Oct. 16, 2026. Spears told USA TODAY in a phone interview that he spoke to Simmons a day before the documentary aired and that he was excited for the film. Spears said the injury occurred "likely, probably within the hour" before the documentary debuted.
"It's sad because after people watched it, I think it sets in and the resonation with it was extremely strong and people are feeling it and digging it." Spears said. "And then all of a sudden you just get this gut punch after you just watch this documentary of what just happened to Ben."
The Kings will continue to honor his contract; so Simmons' $3.5 million is still guaranteed, which means he won't have to go through rehabilitation alone. He'll have the support of the Kings organization.
The Kings are certainly distressed about Simmons' injury but have pledged their support in his rehab journey.
Kings rookie guard Darius Acuff Jr. told reporters that losing Simmons is "bad news" and "changes a lot" but provided words of encouragement and suppport him.
"We're all here for him. We his brothers," Acuff said. "We just want to continue this journey for him. He got us with him through everything. He has a family in us. Just really praying for him and hope everything goes well."
Kings head coach Doug Christie was about to make Simmons a captain. He worked his way into the starting lineup during the preseason after he was initially projected as the backup point guard to Acuff.
Christie called the injury a "gut punch" to the team.
1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images) 2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images) 3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (Wendell Cruz, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (Marc Lebryk, Imagn Images) 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat (Sam Navarro, Imagn Images) 6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (Bill Streicher, Imagn Images) 7. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 9. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (Winslow Townson, Getty Images) 10. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 11. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 12. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 13. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 14. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 15. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (Luiza Moraes, Getty Images) 16. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks (Elsa, Getty Images) 17. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images) 18. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 19. LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 20. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat (Megan Briggs, Getty Images) 21. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) 22. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 23. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder (JOSHUA R. GATELEY, Getty Images) 24. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors (Cole Burston, Getty Images) 25. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images) 26. James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) 27. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 28. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 29. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images) 30. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 31. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (Ron Jenkins, Getty Images) 32. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 33. Lamelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 34. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 35. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks (Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images) 36. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 37. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 38. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 39. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 40. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets (Tim Warner, Getty Images) 41. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (Mitchell Leff, Getty Images) 42. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 43. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz (Patrick Smith, Getty Images) 44. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 45. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 46. Derrick White, Boston Celtics (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 47. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 48. Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 49. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 50. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (Sean Gardner, Getty Images) 1 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images) 1 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 1. Shai Gilgeous Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (Alonzo Adams, Imagn Images) 2 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (Jesse Johnson, Imagn Images) 3 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 3. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (Wendell Cruz, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 4. Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers (Marc Lebryk, Imagn Images) 5 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Miami Heat (Sam Navarro, Imagn Images) 6 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 6. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks (Bill Streicher, Imagn Images) 7 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 7. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 8 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 8. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 9 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 9. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics (Winslow Townson, Getty Images) 10 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 10. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 11 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 11. Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 12 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 12. Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 13 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 13. Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 14 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 14. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 15 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 15. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (Luiza Moraes, Getty Images) 16 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 16. Karl-Anthony Towns, New York Knicks (Elsa, Getty Images) 17 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 17. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns (Tyler Kaufman, Getty Images) 18 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 18. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana Pacers (Gregory Shamus, Getty Images) 19 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 19. LeBron James, Philadelphia 76ers (Emilee Chinn, Getty Images) 20 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 20. Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat (Megan Briggs, Getty Images) 21 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 21. Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets (Scott Taetsch, Getty Images) 22 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 22. Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 23 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 23. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder (JOSHUA R. GATELEY, Getty Images) 24 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 24. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors (Cole Burston, Getty Images) 25 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 25. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images) 26 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 26. James Harden, Cleveland Cavaliers (Sarah Stier, Getty Images) 27 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 27. OG Anunoby, New York Knicks (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 28 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 28. Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 29 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 29. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets (Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images) 30 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 30. Pascal Siakam, Indiana Pacers (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 31 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 31. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (Ron Jenkins, Getty Images) 32 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 32. Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers (Ezra Shaw, Getty Images) 33 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 33. Lamelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets (Joshua Gateley, Getty Images) 34 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 34. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 35 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 35. Kyrie Irving, Dallas Mavericks (Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images) 36 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 36. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 37 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 37. Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks (Ronald Martinez, Getty Images) 38 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 38. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers (Christian Petersen, Getty Images) 39 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 39. Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 40 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 40. Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets (Tim Warner, Getty Images) 41 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 41. Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers (Mitchell Leff, Getty Images) 42 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 42. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic (Rich Storry, Getty Images) 43 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 43. Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz (Patrick Smith, Getty Images) 44 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 44. De’Aaron Fox, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 45 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 45. Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (Jason Miller, Getty Images) 46 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 46. Derrick White, Boston Celtics (Maddie Meyer, Getty Images) 47 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 47. Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs (Alex Slitz, Getty Images) 48 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 48. Jaren Jackson Jr., Utah Jazz (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 49 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 49. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (David Berding, Getty Images) 50 / 50 Jokić, Shai or Wemby? Ranking the NBA's 50 best players 50. Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans (Sean Gardner, Getty Images) "We all love Ben and (we're) going to support Ben," Christie said. "A part of it is this is sports and that's where we have to come in here and be the breath underneath their wings to lift them. We'll be there for him. He'll be there for us as we work our way through it."
Guard Malik Monk summed up it the best, saying the team was obviously upset about the news.
"It definitely wasn't supposed to happen that way with all the work that he put in just to come back," Monk told reporters Monday, Oct. 19. "For him to not even make it to the regular-season, we're just bummed out for him. I feel like everybody is."
The Kings have had their injury list grow rapidly before they even could play a regular-season game. Monk has an ankle injury he's slowly coming back from. Maxime Raynaud is recovering from a knee injury he suffered in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors. Dylan Cardwell had to get a tooth replacement early in training camp.
"The Kings right now, it's one thing that have some injuries through the course of the season, but all these injuries before you even play one game is certainly debilitating to the team, no pun intended," Spears said.
Simmons' injury could not have come at a worst time. He was just getting into basketball form. Christie was looking at making him a starter, naming him a captain and it appeared the Simmons comeback was alive and well.
Now that comeback is delayed for presumably another year.
"He felt like he got his super cape back," Spears said. "He was mentally healthy, physically healthy. And I also think he was much stronger than he's ever been. People, I think, forget that, he's all of 6-foot-10 and I think he probably put on about 20 pounds of muscle at least from the last time he played. So, it was great to see him with his physical and mentals back, like see what he could potentially be."
Spears believed that Simmons was as good as, if not, better than anybody on the Kings during the limited stints he had during preseason. There was "certainly a reason to be excited about him and what he was doing," Spears said.
"I think the city of Sacramento and their fans weren't the only ones that seemed like they we're rooting for him," Spears told USA TODAY. "It seemed like NBA fans all over the world were rooting for him. I mean, he's still going to have his haters. You know, that that doesn't change, but I think he had a lot more love than he did hate and a lot of people were rooting for him."
Simmons was entering his eighth NBA season and his first season with the Kings. He has career averages of 15.8 points, 8.1 rebounds, 8.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks per game.
Although his preseason numbers were a shell of that, it was the potential to get back to his previous form that provided excitement in California's capital. Still, despite Simmons season coming to an abrupt end, Spears says there's still power in the ESPN film documenting Simmons' trials and tribulations.
"I really hope that Ben's injury doesn't dissuade anybody from watching this E60," Spears said. "I'm really really proud of it. I think it's extremely great and people will learn a lot about him. He's pretty unapologetic and not really trying to like sway how everybody may feel about him. I think he's just being himself. I think what's next for Ben is, it's just not over.
"There is a next for Ben. He's only 30," Spears added. "I think it's important to like check out this documentary to learn more about him and who knows, maybe we decide to add a chapter, to the next chapter of Ben Simmons. He's gonna stay in Sacramento and rehab with the support of the franchise. So, again, he's not doing alone. Um, But I think it just makes his story, this latest pitfall for him even more intriguing because before the injury, just looked like the guy that you saw in Philly, but what more confidence with his shot. I'll be really excited to see where he comes from here."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Ben Simmons' Achilles injury derailed his NBA comeback and intriguing documentary
Source: Sport
0 Comments