AN update has been revealed on Memphis Grizzlies starter Jaylen Wells, who suffered a brutal injury on Tuesday.
Wells could not move before being stretchered and taken to a hospital during the Grizzlies’ 124-100 win over the Charlotte Hornets.
3
3
The 21-year-old rookie fell on his arm and head due to contact made by Hornets guard KJ Simpson at the end of a dunk toward the end of the second quarter.
Wells was on the floor for eight minutes before being helped by medical personnel onto a stretcher with his head immobilized.
After the game, interim coach Tuomas Iisalo told reporters that Wells was transported to a hospital and had movement in all of his extremities.
It’s most likely that Wells’ rookie season has ended before the Grizzlies begin the playoffs.
“It puts everything into perspective seeing that situation and to see Jaylen there,” Iisalo said, per ESPN.
“He’s an incredibly tough kid and had a great season.”
Wells landed awkwardly, hitting his head and hand on the floor, causing him to suffer a broken wrist when he was undercut by guard Simpson, who was given a flagrant foul and ejected for the contact.
Simpson instantly checked on Wells after the play before being pushed away by Ja Morant.
Grizzlies players were spotted praying and kneeling after Wells was sent off the court.
The game was delayed for 23 minutes, including warmup time for both teams.
Jaylen’s father, Fred Wells, shared an update on his son’s condition, revealing that he wanted to know the score of the game from the hospital, per the Memphis Commerical Appeal.
Wells Sr. also told the outlet that his son had a swollen wrist, face, and jaw, as well as back pain.
Jaylen later posted a message on his Instagram account.
The Washington State product posted a picture of himself at the hospital as he was still wearing his Grizzlies jersey and showing his cast on his left hand.
“Go Grizz,” Wells wrote on his Instagram story.
3
It’s expected that Simpson will receive a hearing with the NBA about discipline for the foul, even if the contact wasn’t intentional.
Wells hasn’t missed a game for the Grizzlies, starting 74 of 79 games.
He entered Tuesday’s game with averages of 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.7 assists.
The Grizzlies are currently tied for fourth in the Western Conference with a 47-32 record.