Memphis Grizzlies rookie forward Jaylen Wells was stretchered off the court Tuesday night after a terrifying fall during a fast-break dunk attempt against the Charlotte Hornets. The 23-year-old crashed hard onto the floor after being fouled mid-air, immediately prompting concern from teammates, coaches, and medical staff.
The game came to a standstill as Wells lay motionless near the basket. Arena staff rushed to his side, and the FedExForum crowd fell into stunned silence. After nearly 20 minutes of on-court treatment, Wells was placed on a stretcher and taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
The Incident: Mid-Air Foul Leads to Alarming Fall
Wells attempted a thunderous dunk late in the second quarter when Hornets guard KJ Simpson met him in mid-air. The contact caused Wells to lose control and crash hard onto the court, landing on his head and upper body. He remained down as teammates and medical personnel surrounded him in concern.
Simpson was assessed a flagrant 2 foul and immediately ejected from the game. He is reportedly facing a disciplinary review by the league for the dangerous play.
After extensive on-court treatment, Wells was placed on a stretcher and transported to a nearby Memphis hospital. According to early reports, he suffered a broken right wrist, along with swelling in his face, jaw, and back pain, but was awake, alert, and moving all extremities. His father, Fred Wells, confirmed the injury updates and added that his son was “in good spirits” despite the scare.
While Wells’ head and neck were stabilized as a precaution, there have been no confirmed reports of a neck injury. He is undergoing further evaluation, including X-rays and a CT scan, to rule out any additional complications.
Wells later took to Instagram from his hospital bed to reassure fans, posting a short message of resilience: “Go Grizz.”
Impact on Grizzlies and Wells’ Season
The injury is a significant blow to the Grizzlies, who have relied heavily on Wells throughout the season. The undrafted rookie has been a standout contributor, starting 74 of the team’s 79 games and averaging 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. His versatility and energy have been crucial to Memphis’ push toward the playoffs.
Despite the grim moment, the Grizzlies rallied to secure a 124–100 win over the Hornets, improving their record to 47–32—good enough to tie for fourth in the Western Conference standings.
The team has not yet provided an official timeline for Wells’ recovery, though the broken wrist likely means he will miss the remainder of the regular season—and potentially the playoffs. More updates are expected in the coming days.
