Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo provides update on Jaylen Wells after scary fall vs. Hornets
Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells was taken to a hospital on Tuesday after a hard fall in a 124-100 win over the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center.
The incident occurred after Wells appeared to be undercut by Hornets guard KJ Simpson on a dunk attempt late in the second quarter. The game was delayed by about 20 minutes as the Grizzlies' training staff and EMTs tended to Wells, who was taken off the court on a stretcher.
After Wells left the arena in an ambulance, the game resumed, and Simpson was issued a Flagrant-2 foul, resulting in his ejection. Wells is awake, alert and moving his extremities.
"It puts everything into perspective," Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo said. "I mean, seeing that situation and seeing Jaylen there, (it was) a tough situation for everybody. He is an incredibly tough kid and had a great season. He is in all of our thoughts, and luckily, he is moving all of his extremities. Unfortunately, he has a broken wrist, but he is in our thoughts. He is a tough kid and will have a great recovery."
Wells is averaging 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists on 35.2% shooting from 3-point range in 79 appearances with the Grizzlies. He is fourth in the rookie class in total scoring (823 points) and was the Western Conference Rookie of the Month in October and November.
The 39th pick had appeared in every game for the Grizzlies entering play on Tuesday. He became a full-time starter for former head coach Taylor Jenkins in their sixth game of the season and remained in that role after emerging as a key figure in the frontcourt.
"The only thing we can do is just pray for Jaylen Wells," Hornets forward Miles Bridges said. "He is a great guy. I've talked to him a couple of times. He seems like a great kid. It was very unfortunate what happened to him. I know KJ is not a dirty guy, so it was just an unfortunate situation. I heard things are going good for him and my prayers are up for him."
Wells was selected to the Rising Stars Game at NBA All-Star Weekend in February and was among the front-runners to win Rookie of the Year for much of the season. He will finish the season as the only second-round pick averaging at least 10 points per game.
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