Jaylen Wells is officially done for the 2025-26 season, with the Grizzlies announcing he will undergo surgery to repair a tendon avulsion fracture in his right big toe. The rookie winger suffered the injury during Memphis’ road game at Atlanta on March 23 and has not played since that night.
According to LocalMemphis, the team confirmed the diagnosis and said the operation is expected to end Wells’ season. Memphis did not provide a specific timeline for his return, and the medical staff will put together a detailed rehab plan after the procedure is completed.
Wells has put together a solid first full campaign, averaging about 12 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist in 69 games, according to his official profile. NBA.com lists his full season stat line, and the wing was a finalist for the 2024-25 Rookie of the Year award, as noted by ESPN last spring.
Grizzlies’ Injury Woes Keep Stacking Up
Wells’ absence only deepens an already bruised Memphis rotation. Center Zach Edey recently had ankle surgery, and forward Brandon Clarke has been sidelined with a calf strain. The Associated Press via Yahoo first reported Edey’s procedure, and league tracking sites have logged several long-term injuries that have forced Memphis to shuffle lineups on a nightly basis. RealGM notes that the list of Grizzlies expected to miss extended time this month has included multiple starters and key rotation players.
Who Picks Up Wells’ Minutes Now
With Wells sidelined, the Grizzlies are expected to rely more heavily on Cam Spencer and Ty Jerome on the perimeter, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper and other role players absorb extra frontcourt minutes. Recent box scores show Spencer and Prosper sliding into the starting lineup and providing offensive production in makeshift units, per CBS Sports. The coaching staff will likely revisit the rotation again once the team receives a post-surgery update on Wells.
The organization has not attached a recovery timetable to Wells’ operation, and his next status report will come after the surgery and initial rehab evaluation, LocalMemphis reports. For now, Memphis is focused on stabilizing a battered roster for the stretch run while doctors chart Wells’ path back to the floor.
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