Memphis Grizzlies guard Marcus Smart didn’t hesitate with his answer. When he was asked during the start of preseason training camp about a player who could step up on the perimeter while the team was dealing with injuries, he named a rookie.
“Definitely Jaylen Wells,” Smart said.
Well, Wells got his chance to make Smart look smart on Saturday, and he did just that.
The Grizzlies were without Smart, Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, Vince Williams Jr., Luke Kennard, Cam Spencer and GG Jackson against the Chicago Bulls. Wells was the biggest beneficiary of the playing time, and he capitalized by leading the Grizzlies with 24 points in a 124-121 victory at United Center.
Wells shot 9-for-18 from the field and made four 3-pointers. His biggest make came with 9.5 seconds left in the game. He sprung open on the right wing and raised both his arms before a pass came in his direction. The Bulls’ defense closed out but not in enough time. He held his shooting pose and knocked down the dagger 3-pointer to put the game away.
“I was really encouraged by his play,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “I think he forced a couple things early after he made his first shot and we weren’t making the right air-time reads. On closeouts, he was taking some contested jumpers there. I thought he found his groove as the game went on.”
Second-half performer
Wells got off to a strong start with 11 points in the first quarter, but as Jenkins noted, his shot selection tailed off in the second. He missed all four of his shots before a 13-point second half.
Wells has now scored double figures in all three preseason games. This was the second time he has put together a double-digit second half of scoring.
“That’s kind of what he has shown me,” Jenkins said. “As the game progresses, we challenge him on something offensively or defensively, and he’s kind of picking it up and applying it.”
Vying for a rotation spot
Although most of the Grizzlies’ rotation is set, there are minutes to be had at the backup wing spot. With Williams and GG Jackson out, Jake LaRavia, John Konchar and Wells figure to be the three biggest competitors for those minutes.
Memphis has a need for shooting, and that was a big reason why Wells was drafted. He has made eight 3-pointers on 42.1% shooting through three games.
It’s not just his shooting, though. Jenkins noted how Wells is contributing in other areas as well. The 6-foot-7 wing has competed defensively and also shown signs as a playmaker. Wells finished with six assists on Saturday.
One of those assists came right before Wells knocked down the final 3-pointer to seal the game. He drove to the basket and kicked out a pass to a wide-open Maozinha Pereira for a made 3-pointer that gave Memphis a two-point lead with 35.6 seconds remaining.
Plays like those will stand out to Jenkins and strengthen Wells’ chances of cracking the rotation.
“While he’s finding his way as a rookie trying to make his impact on both sides of the floor, it’s not just about the scoring, it’s about the defense and making the right play,” Jenkins said. “He did that late in the game.”
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies rookie Jaylen Wells scores 24 points in win vs Bulls
