Mar 29, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) handles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) defends during the fourth quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Memphis Grizzlies Starter Reveals Untold Luka Doncic Story

Originally posted on Memphis Grizzlies on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated May 7, 2025 5:01 PM ET

The Memphis Grizzlies looked like they could've been in store for a long postseason run during the All-Star break, after entering with the Western Conference's second-best record. However, a second-half collapse mixed with firing the franchise's all-time winningest head coach in Taylor Jenkins didn't bode well for them, leading to a first-round exit.

Now, the Grizzlies will find themselves with a lot of questions to answer this summer, with plenty of conversation being around the future of Ja Morant. However, the Grizzlies did see some great signs from other talent on their roster, including 2024 second-round pick Jaylen Wells. Appearing on FanDuel TV's Run It Back, Wells revealed his welcome to the NBA moment.

Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells reveals Luka Doncic gave him his first "welcome to the league" moment

Jaylen also says hitting a 1-legged 3 over Wemby this season is one of his favorite highlights ever @MichelleDBeadle | @TeamLou23 | @ChandlerParsons | @jaylen_wells pic.twitter.com/Vkfroj9pSI
— Run It Back (@RunItBackFDTV) May 7, 2025

According to Wells, his welcome to the NBA moment came from Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic. However, it came before the massive blockbuster trade, when Doncic was still on the Lakers. "He was just fouling me out, bodying me, I come off my toes for half a second and it's foul quick," Wells shared.

Looking at that matchup, Wells finished the game with 10 points and two steals in the start, being the only Grizzlies starter to finish with a positive plus/minus. As for Doncic, he had 37 points and 12 rebounds, a typical performance from the superstar guard.

"I don't know what Memphis is without Ja." - Jaylen Wells on playing with Ja Morant

(@RunItBackFDTV) pic.twitter.com/NkbumiJSqA
— Playoff MEM (@PlayoffMem) May 7, 2025

While the teams haven't been announced yet, Wells looks like he'll end up on the All-Rookie First Team due to his performance this season. As he recovers from his wrist injury that kept him out of the postseason, Wells will look to improve upon his stellar rookie season as he continues to solidify himself with the Grizzlies.

This article first appeared on Memphis Grizzlies on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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