Grizzlies Rookie Jaylen Wells Suffers Broken Wrist, Stretchered Off After Hard Fall

Memphis starting guard Jaylen Wells is likely out for the rest of the season after suffering a broken right wrist during a 124-100 win over Charlotte on Tuesday night. The injury occurred after a midair collision at the end of a fast-break dunk, sending the rookie crashing hard onto his arm and head—just as the Grizzlies gear up for a playoff run.

Wells remained on the floor for eight minutes before medical personnel carefully secured him to a stretcher with his head immobilized. He was taken to a hospital, where interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo confirmed he had movement in all his extremities.

“It really puts things in perspective when something like that happens,” Iisalo said. “Jaylen’s a tough kid. He’s had a tremendous season.”

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Wells’ father, Fred, said his son was alert enough to ask for the game’s score despite experiencing pain in his face, jaw, and back.

The injury happened when Wells caught an outlet pass from Ja Morant and soared toward the rim. Hornets guard KJ Simpson, attempting to catch up to the play, inadvertently undercut Wells from behind, causing him to lose balance midair and land violently near the baseline. Officials reviewed the play and assessed Simpson a Flagrant 2 foul for unnecessary contact, resulting in an automatic ejection. A visibly shaken Simpson bent down to check on Wells immediately following the collision.

Morant, who threw the pass, was visibly affected by the incident. “I turned around doing our little celebration, and when I saw the blood, it hit me hard. I’ve got a weak stomach,” he said. “We’ve just got to keep Jaylen in our prayers and be ready to step up. It’s next man up, but obviously, this hurts.”

The game was delayed for 23 minutes, including time for both teams to warm back up.

Wells, a 2024 second-round pick from Washington State, had started 74 of Memphis’ 79 games this season and had yet to miss a single contest. Heading into Tuesday’s matchup, the 6-foot-7 rookie was averaging 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. The victory lifted the Grizzlies into a tie for fourth in the tight Western Conference playoff race, though they could still slip as low as eighth.