Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells injured, taken to hospital after scary fall vs Hornets
Portrait of Damichael Cole
Memphis Grizzlies players and coaches huddled together for a prayer inside a silent Spectrum Center Arena on Tuesday night against the Charlotte Hornets after rookie forward Jaylen Wells was injured on a scary fall under the basket.
On a breakaway dunk, Wells was chased from behind and undercut by a Hornets player before falling to the floor. A stretcher was called as the Grizzlies’ medical team and EMTs responded. Wells was eventually taken off the floor on a stretcher and taken to a hospital.
A Flagrant 2 foul was called, resulting in the ejection of Hornets guard KJ Simpson.
Play was paused for more than 20 minutes. After Wells was taken to the hospital, both teams were allowed to warmup until another ambulance arrived at the facility.
Wells has been one of the Grizzlies’ most durable players. He’s participated in all 79 games to date, including 74 starts. He has been one of the NBA’s top rookies, entering Tuesday averaging 10.5 points per game.
Jaylen Wells update
After being taken to the hospital, Wells was alert and talking, his father Fred Wells said. The competitive Grizzlies rookie wanted to know the score of the Grizzlies game, his father said.
“He has a swollen wrist,” Fred Wells shared in a message to The Commercial Appeal. “Face, jaw and back pain. Prob concussion. We are waiting for X-rays to get done!!”
