It was a tense moment on Tuesday night as Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells suffered a frightening injury during the team’s dominant 124–100 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. The young forward had to be stretchered off the court following a mid-air collision with Hornets guard KJ Simpson that left fans and players shaken.
The incident occurred when Wells went up for a powerful dunk, and Simpson, caught in a tough spot underneath him, unintentionally undercut the rookie. The dangerous play resulted in a Flagrant 2 foul and Simpson’s ejection from the game.
Later that evening, the Grizzlies offered an update on Wells’ condition, providing a glimmer of hope.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Wells is “awake, alert, and moving his extremities.” However, he did suffer a broken right wrist and will undergo further medical evaluation. His agent, Aman Dhesi, confirmed the injury.
Wells also took to social media from his hospital bed, sharing a photo of himself with a heavily bandaged wrist and a noticeable cut near his eye, sustained during the fall. Alongside the image, he posted a simple but spirited message: “Go Grizz.”
Unfortunately, the injury means Wells’ season is over. In his rookie campaign, he was averaging 10.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game—solid numbers that hinted at a promising future.
Up next, the Grizzlies will return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, April 10, with tip-off scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET at FedEx Forum.
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