Kings' Ben Simmons uses one word to describe himself amid Achilles recovery

Sacramento Kings guard Ben Simmons (25) goes for a layup against Golden State Warriors center Al Horford (20). IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Kings' Ben Simmons uses one word to describe himself amid Achilles recovery

By Olamilekan Ajayi | Last updated Oct 29, 2026 7:06 PM ET

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Ben Simmons is opening the Sacramento Kings' season in a walking boot and on a knee scooter, and he still describes his game with complete confidence.

Simmons tore his right Achilles tendon during a practice drill on Oct. 18, before the Kings opened their season against the Los Angeles Clippers, and had surgery in New York on Oct. 20. In a conversation with Andscape's Marc J. Spears published Thursday, the 30-year-old described himself in terms few players would choose.

"I'm more than capable of playing in this league. I'm built for this. I'm not a normal guy. I'm kind of like a unicorn in the sense of how I play the game. I'm not your typical player. I don't know how to put it, but I feel like I'm a lot different than most," Simmons said.

Ben Simmons says he’s a unicorn and the league has never seen a player like him before “I’m more than capable of playing in this league. I’m built for this. I’m not a normal guy. I’m kind of like a unicorn in the sense of how I play the game. I’m not your typical player. I don’t know how to put it, but I feel like I’m a lot different than most.” (Via https://t.co/DS27zvCQPc)
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) October 29, 2026

Is Ben Simmons right about being different?

A point guard with a forward's frame who pushes the ball, guards multiple positions and almost never shoots from outside has never fit a template, and the league has spent most of the last decade trying to figure out how to build around that.

On the "unicorn" part of his answer, Simmons may be describing himself accurately.

Simmons has not played an NBA game that counts since the Clippers' first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets in April 2025. He sat out all of 2025-26 while recovering from back and knee injuries and only landed in Sacramento after the Kings watched him work out in Miami. They were the only team to offer a contract, a $3 million deal they are now paying in full while he rehabs.

Sacramento expected Simmons to start and serve as a captain, and he averaged 10.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 17.5 minutes across two preseason games before the injury. Those two games were the first real test of how his body would hold up to the job he says he was built for, and the test ended in a practice drill.

The Achilles tear is expected to cost him the entire 2026-27 season. If that holds, his next game that counts will come well over two years after his last one.

Olamilekan Ajayi

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