Former Cougar, Grizzlies key rookie Jaylen Wells out for season with broken wrist

Memphis Grizzlies rookie guard Jaylen Wells broke his right wrist and needed to be taken off the court on a stretcher after a frightening fall in Tuesday night’s game against the Charlotte Hornets.

On Friday, the team added in a statement that Wells also suffered a concussion and facial lacerations during the fall. Wells is likely to miss the remainder of the season, per the team.

Wells fell violently to the court when he was fouled going up for a breakaway dunk with 1:10 left in the second quarter. Hornets guard KJ Simpson ran into his legs while he was in the air, causing Wells to fall awkwardly and his head to slam onto the court. He lay motionless on the ground for several minutes, surrounded by medical staffers. The crowd in Charlotte went quiet and players from both teams looked on with concern.

He was placed on a stretcher, where his head was immobilized and his hands were folded across his midsection. The Hornets broadcast said he was transported to a local hospital. Wells’ father, Fred, later posted on X: “Jaylen is awake and alert. Wanted 2 know the score! Swollen wrist. Face, jaw and back pain. About to get X-ray and CT.”

“It puts everything into perspective seeing that situation and to see Jaylen there,” said Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo after the game, which Memphis won 124-100. “He’s an incredibly tough kid and had a great season.”

Simpson was assessed a Flagrant Foul 2 and ejected following a review by the officials. He walked to the locker room with a towel draped over his head. Hours after the game, he posted a message on X: “My prayers are with @jaylen_wells, I know we already spoke and are good friends bro but again I just wanted to express not only to J but to his family as well how deeply sorry I am. I would never purposely do that to anyone. I’m just extremely sorry,” with a prayer hands emoji.

Wells responded with a message that read, in part, “Much love brother.”

“It’s tough,” Grizzlies star Ja Morant told reporters about the injury. “I threw the pass and turned around and was doing our little touchdown celebration. When I got there, the first thing I saw was blood, and I’ve got a weak stomach. We’ve just got to stay with him and keep praying for him. It’s next man up. Obviously that hurts. Guys will just have to be ready.”

Wells, the 39th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, has been one of the biggest bright spots for the Grizzlies during his rookie campaign. The 21-year-old has started in 74 games this season and become a rugged on-ball defender in his first season. Wells came into Tuesday night’s game averaging 10.5 points and 3.4 rebounds this season.

Wells’ injury comes at a difficult time for Memphis, with only three games left in the regular season. The Grizzlies are one of several teams in the Western Conference battling to secure a playoff spot and avoid the Play-In Tournament. Without Wells, the Grizzlies are left with one fewer defensive option on the perimeter with games against the Nuggets, Timberwolves and Mavericks left on the schedule.