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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.
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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.
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“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.
Members of the organization voice support
The Kings are certainly distressed…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/ben-simmons-achilles-injury-derailed-033027592.html
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Publish date : 2026-10-20 03:30:00
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