NBA: Grizzlies’ Jaylen Wells likely out for year after scary fall

Jaylen Wells #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies lays on the court after an injury during the first half of a basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on April 08, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. David Jensen/Getty Images/AFP

Memphis Grizzlies rookie forward Jaylen Wells, who took a hard fall and had to be stretchered off the court Tuesday, is likely to miss the rest of the season.

The Grizzlies announced Friday that Wells suffered a concussion and a facial laceration in addition to a broken right wrist.

“Wells is expected to make a full recovery but likely will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season,” the team’s statement said. “Further updates will be provided as appropriate.”

READ: NBA: Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells recovering after horror fall

The Grizzlies (47-33) wrap the regular season with games Friday at the Denver Nuggets and Sunday against the visiting Dallas Mavericks. Memphis is guaranteed at least a spot in the play-in round of the NBA Western Conference.

Wells, 21, crashed face-first to the floor following a foul while completing a second-quarter dunk. Wells was in the clear and going up for a jam when Charlotte Hornets guard KJ Simpson undercut him. Wells came down hard, and medical personnel immediately raced out to check on him.

Players from both teams knelt in prayer as the medical staff tended to Wells, who eventually was loaded onto a stretcher, with his head immobilized, and wheeled away. Game action was halted for 23 minutes in all.

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

Wells was taken to the Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in the Charlotte area. He was discharged Wednesday, per his agent.

Wells will end his regular season averaging 10.4 points and 3.4 rebounds in 79 games (74 starts).