Jaylen Wells Returns to Health and a Steady Role for Memphis
Jaylen Wells, a 23-year-old forward in his third season with the Grizzlies, is off the injury report after a toe issue this fall. He averaged 12.5 points in 26.4 minutes last season. His preseason minutes have run lower, and Memphis is reportedly making roster cuts.
By the Grizzlies Nightly Desk · updated 2 d ago01The story of the nightWhere Wells stands nowWells is 6-7, wears No.
Wells is 6-7, wears No. 0 and plays forward for Memphis. He is 23 and has two seasons of experience after coming out of Washington State. The Grizzlies list him as healthy: he is not on the injury report. That is a change from earlier this fall, when a toe issue put him on the day-to-day list. The 2026-27 season is the one ahead, and Wells enters it as a rotation wing who has already shown he can score at this level. His preseason work shows a player getting back into rhythm, with minutes that have varied from game to game. Memphis will look to him for spacing and steady scoring once games count.
02What he did last seasonLast season, 2025-26, Wells played 69 games for Memphis and averaged 26.4 minutes.
Last season, 2025-26, Wells played 69 games for Memphis and averaged 26.4 minutes. He scored 12.5 points per game with 3.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 0.9 steals. He turned the ball over 1.1 times a night. His usage rate was 18.9, which marks him as a complementary scorer rather than a primary option. He posted a plus-minus of -2.6 over the year. The numbers describe a wing who produced without needing the ball much, and who stayed on the floor for a quarter of the game or more most nights. Those are the figures he carries into the new year.
03Shooting profileWells shot 43.1 percent from the field last season and 35.3 percent from three.
Wells shot 43.1 percent from the field last season and 35.3 percent from three. He made 78.4 percent of his free throws. His true shooting percentage was 55.9. Those splits point to a capable perimeter shooter who is reliable at the line and efficient enough to hold a rotation spot. The three-point mark sits above a third of his attempts falling, which is the threshold teams look for from a forward who is asked to space the floor. He averaged just 0.1 blocks, so his value comes from scoring and perimeter activity, not rim protection. Any growth this season would most likely show up in how often and how well he shoots from deep.
04Preseason formIn the preseason, Wells has played four games.
In the preseason, Wells has played four games. He scored 12 points in 16.8 minutes against Atlanta on Oct. 5, then 6 points and 5 rebounds in 22.2 minutes against Orlando on Oct. 7, a loss. On Oct. 9 he had 8 points in 13.7 minutes in a win over Chicago. His latest outing came Oct. 16 against Charlotte, a win, when he had 5 points, 1 rebound and 1 assist in 21.7 minutes with a plus-minus of +21.0. The minutes have stayed well under his 26.4 average from last season. The scoring has been modest. Still, he has played in each of those games and has been available since he was cleared.
05Injury history and roster movesOn Sept.
On Sept. 6, Wells was listed day-to-day with a right toe issue, described as a leg injury. He was cleared on Oct. 1 and played in Memphis's preseason games soon after. He is not on the injury report now. Separately, a report dated Oct. 19 says the Grizzlies are waiving Walter Clayton Jr. and Micah Peavy. That is a rumor and not a finished move, and it comes with no word on how it affects Wells. For Wells, the main point is health: he is clear and available as Memphis sets its roster for the opener.
Wells12.5 ppg
Clowney12.3 ppg
