Jaylen Wells injury update, KJ Simpson apologizes for hard foul in Hornets' loss to Grizzlies

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jackson Gardner | Last updated Apr 9, 2025 5:05 PM ET

The Charlotte Hornets lost to the Memphis Grizzlies 124-100 Tuesday night, and the biggest positive takeaway for the Hornets is they’re now one loss away from securing the best possible odds (14%) at the number one pick in the draft.

The biggest moment of the night however was a scary one, as Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells went up to dunk just before halftime, and Hornets rookie KJ Simpson bumped him from behind, undercutting him in attempt to defend, but his momentum carried him into the back of Wells mid-air. Wells landed awkwardly on his head and wrist and lay on the court for several minutes before being lifted onto a stretcher. The TV cameras repeatedly showed Simpson looking visibly upset, the foul was upgraded to a flagrant 2 and he was ejected.

Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells is awake, alert and moving his extremities after being taken off court in a stretcher tonight in Charlotte, his agent Aman Dhesi tells ESPN. Wells has sustained a broken right wrist, Dhesi said, and will continue receiving medical care. pic.twitter.com/iw6CSO5deK
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 9, 2025

Shams Charania gave an update last night that Wells was alert and moving his extremities, but that he had suffered a broken right wrist. Simpson and Wells came into the league together as rookies this season and were college rivals. The duo faced each other in 3 tight Pac-12 contests last year with Simpson’s Colorado Buffalos getting the better of Wells and the Washington St Cougars 2 games to 1, with Simpson the high scorer in all 3 games.

My prayers are with @jaylen_wells , I know we already spoke and are good friends bro but again I just wanted to express not only to J but to his family as well how deeply sorry I am. I would never purposely do that to anyone. I’m just extremely sorry
— KJ Simpson (@KSimpsonJr) April 9, 2025

The two players are also friends, and a still dejected Simpson posted on X this morning “My prayers are with @jaylen_wells, I know we already spoke and are good friends bro but again I just wanted to express not only to J but to his family as well how deeply sorry I am. I would never purposely do that to anyone. I’m just extremely sorry,”

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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