MikeCheck: Even in recovery, Wells provides Grizzlies inspirational boost as key stretch looms
Michael WallaceMEMPHIS – Understandably, where they stood in the standings was far from the first thing on their minds.
The status of injured and hospitalized teammate Jaylen Wells took precedent over all matters as the Grizzlies retreated to the visitors locker room inside the Spectrum Center in Charlotte.
Ja Morant, Zach Edey and Desmond Bane had just delivered spectacular performances to lead Memphis to a rather easy, yet highly essential 124-100 victory over the lottery bound Hornets.
But it was hardly a celebratory mood as the Grizzlies processed their third straight victory while players sat motionless at their lockers on cellphones seeking updates.
A few minutes later, Wells post a selfie photo on social media from his hospital bed in Charlotte with two words that lifted the spirits of a locker room miles away. Still in his game-worn jersey and with his broken right wrist heavily bandaged in the photo, Wells posted: “Go Grizz.”
Given the circumstances, that was all that needed to be said.
“We know Jaylen,” Morant said as the reality of Wells’ situation settled. “He always wants to be on the floor no matter what’s going on, whether he’s got an injury or whatever. It’s tough, especially for somebody who plays a lot of minutes for us, being really productive. We’ve just got to stay with him, keep praying for him and let him know God’s got him.”
The Grizzlies were awaiting further evaluation Wednesday before officially updating Wells’ status. But initial indications from family members and reports from his agent suggest Wells is likely lost for the rest of the season with injuries from the hard fall he suffered when he landed awkwardly from a dunk in the first half of Tuesday’s game.
A representative for Wells informed ESPN that the 6-foot-7 rookie forward was released from the Charlotte hospital Wednesday.
Wells was in the midst of a breakout season that should land the No. 39 overall pick from the 2024 Draft on the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team. He was leading all NBA rookies in games started (72), made 3-pointers (138) and team wins (46).
As the lone Grizzlies player to play in every game this season, Wells is widely regarded as the steal of the 2024 draft because of his contributions as a defender and shooter on a winning team. The blow from his injury immediately overshadowed the momentum Memphis (47-32) is building in the final week of the regular season as it looks to improve its playoff position.
“It puts things into perspective,” Grizzlies interim coach Tuomas Iisalo said in reaction to Wells’ injury. “He’s an incredibly tough kid, he’s had a great season, and he’ll have a great recovery.”
The Grizzlies have won three straight games and have split their first six contests since Iisalo took over as interim coach March 28 after the team parted ways with Taylor Jenkins.
Memphis has three games remaining, starting with Thursday’s crucial clash at home with the Minnesota Timberwolves before traveling for Friday’s game at Denver to face the Nuggets. The regular-season finale is Sunday at home against the Dallas Mavericks.
All three of those opponents are jockeying for spots in the postseason, with the Grizzlies entering Wednesday as one of four teams in the West posting a 47-32 record. Although Memphis currently sits seventh in the conference, it is still in play to finish with as high as the No. 4 seed, which would provide homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The Grizzlies are guaranteed to emerge from Sunday’s finale with no worse than the No. 8 seed, which would land them in the Play-In Tournament. From there, the Grizzlies would have two opportunities to advance from the Play-In and secure a spot in the playoffs.
For now, the immediate next steps are focused on Wells’ initial recovery off the court and trying to fill his void on it. Third-year swingman Vince Williams Jr. returned Tuesday from a three-game absence with an illness and started the second half in Wells’ spot against Charlotte.
The Grizzlies could also rely more on second-year swingman GG Jackson and veteran guard Luke Kennard among other options for perimeter defense and shooting at the small forward spot.
Wells finished with three points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal in 11 minutes before the injury. On the season, he averaged 10.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 26.1 minutes.
“It was good for us to come in and see that he was going to be alright, that he was moving his arms and legs, and he was talking a little bit,” Grizzlies rookie center Zach Edey said of the lift the updates on Wells provided on a night when the focus quickly shifted from basketball. “We knew we had to pull together. All we could do was go out in that second half and execute.”
That’s been the Grizzlies way throughout a challenging season.
Just in the past few weeks, they’ve faced the loss of veteran forward Brandon Clarke for the season to a knee injury, the dismissal of Jenkins as coach and now another tough injury setback.
Coincidentally – if not fittingly – Edey and Cam Spencer were the last two players lingering in the locker room in Charlotte. Two rookies were slowly gathering themselves to depart as they processed what happened to the third member of the Grizzlies’ rookie draft class.
Through it all, Wells had been one of the few constants in the lineup every night.
Even in his recovery, count on Wells to keep contributing at a high level.
He proved as much with those two words from that hospital bed.
Go Grizz!
Published on Apr 09, 2025
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