NBA: Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells recovering after horror fall

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) brings the ball upcourt during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells was reportedly recovering at the hospital on Tuesday after being stretchered out of his team’s clash with the Charlotte Hornets in a scary-looking fall under the basket.

The 21-year-old was injured by a foul from Hornets guard K.J. Simpson as he attempted a dunk during Tuesday’s game at the Spectrum Center Arena in Charlotte.

READ: NBA: Grizzlies crush Hornets but lose Jaylen Wells to injury

The Grizzlies rookie landed heavily on his back and head and lay motionless on the court following the incident, which led to Simpson being ejected from the game for a flagrant foul.

Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells recovering at the hospital after a scary fall during an NBA game. –JAYLEN WELLS INSTAGRAM

Play was halted for around 20 minutes as players and medical staff huddled around Wells, who was eventually eased onto a stretcher and taken to the hospital.

Memphis’ Commercial Appeal newspaper later quoted Wells’ father as saying the player was awake and conscious.

“He has a swollen wrist” Fred Wells was quoted as saying in a text message. “Face, jaw and back pain. Prob concussion. We are waiting for X-rays to get done!!”

Charlotte coach Charles Lee said the foul had occurred in the “heat of the game,” adding that Simpson had been consoled by teammates.

“He feels bad about what happened,” Lee said of Simpson. “It’s hard to witness something like that in the heat of the game. A lot of our guys walked over to their coach and apologized. I did the same thing, because we don’t play dirty. Things just happen in the heat of the moment and competition.”

Memphis, who are one of six teams chasing four remaining automatic playoff berths in the Western Conference, went on to win the game 124-100.