The Memphis Grizzlies’ 124-100 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday night was overshadowed by a terrifying incident involving rookie guard Jaylen Wells. The 21-year-old suffered a serious injury during the second quarter, leaving players, fans, and coaches shaken as he was stretchered off the court.
The injury occurred during a fastbreak play when Wells received an outlet pass from Ja Morant and went up for a two-handed dunk. As he soared toward the basket, Hornets guard KJ Simpson collided with Wells mid-air, causing him to lose balance and fall awkwardly. Wells landed hard on his right wrist and head, prompting immediate concern from everyone in the arena.
Prayers for Jaylen Wells 🙏❤️pic.twitter.com/w4xDJuGZVY
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 9, 2025
Medical personnel rushed to Wells’ side as he lay motionless on the court. The arena fell silent as trainers worked to stabilize him, eventually placing him on a stretcher after an eight-minute delay. Wells was seen briefly waving his hand as he was taken off the court, offering a small sign of relief to those watching.
Prayers up for Jaylen Wells after he suffered an injury on the floor 🙏 pic.twitter.com/THOjpyLWpZ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 9, 2025
Wells’ father, Fred Wells, later provided an update, sharing that his son was “awake, alert, and moving his extremities.” However, the rookie suffered a broken right wrist and was experiencing pain in his face, jaw, and back. He was taken to a nearby hospital for X-rays and a CT scan to assess the full extent of his injuries.
Despite the severity of the fall, Wells managed to post a photo on social media from the hospital, showing a swollen lip, a cut on his head, and a brace on his wrist. His caption, “Go Grizz,” reflected his resilience and determination to recover.
Jaylen Wells on Instagram: pic.twitter.com/vwjhGh7iDL
— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) April 9, 2025
The play was reviewed by officials, who assessed Simpson with a Flagrant 2 foul for excessive and unnecessary contact, resulting in his ejection from the game. Simpson appeared visibly distraught after the incident and expressed concern for Wells’ well-being.
Grizzlies interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo praised Wells’ toughness, saying,
“He’s an incredibly tough kid and had a great season.”
Teammate Ja Morant, who threw the pass that led to the play, added,
“We’ve just got to stay with him and keep praying for him.
Wells, a second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, had been a standout for the Grizzlies in his rookie season. He played in all 79 games leading up to Tuesday, averaging 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. His contributions were instrumental in Memphis’ push for a playoff spot, making his absence a significant blow to the team.
The Grizzlies, currently in a tight race for playoff positioning, will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for the postseason. For Wells, the focus now shifts to recovery and rehabilitation.
