NBA Breaks Silence on Flagrant Foul Ejection in Grizzlies-Hornets

NBA referees spoke about the flagrant foul call in the Memphis Grizzlies vs Charlotte Hornets game

Apr 8, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Moussa Diabate (14) drives in during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images | Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

The Memphis Grizzlies wrapped up a three-game road trip on Tuesday night, taking down the Charlotte Hornets 124-100, but a scary injury certainly put a damper on their victorious night.

With just over a minute remaining in the first half, Grizzlies standout forward Jaylen Wells went up for a fastbreak dunk, but Hornets guard KJ Simpson recklessly undercut him. Wells took a nasty fall and landed awkwardly on his head, ultimately having to get stretchered off the court and sent to the hospital.

Simpson was handed a flagrant 2 foul on the play was was ejected from the game.

Jaylen Wells was injured on a dunk attempt and was taken off the court on a stretcher.

KJ Simpson received a flagrant 2 foul and was ejected from the game. pic.twitter.com/wOOXBNv7l4

— ESPN (@espn) April 9, 2025

Wells' injury was very scary for the entire NBA world, especially the Grizzlies. The rookie forward has been one of Memphis' key players this season, averaging 10.5 points and 3.4 rebounds per game while being an elite defender.

After the game, the NBA released a Pool Report interview with officiating crew chief Karl Lane about the flagrant 2 foul that ended Simpson's night.

"After the review we felt that it was unnecessary and extensive, and a reckless play by the defender to a player who is in a vulnerable position with a high potential for injury which he did have a high potential for injury.  We felt that was enough for a flagrant 2," Lane said.

NBA Referee Karl Lane comments to a pool reporter after tonight’s Memphis at Charlotte gamehttps://t.co/n0Hp3IajZT

— NBA Official (@NBAOfficial) April 9, 2025

Simpson's foul was very reckless, despite him being visibly distraught after the play, and the flagrant 2 was well warranted. Of course, the Hornets rookie did not seem to mean harm from the hard foul, but he might have ended Wells' season with the "unnecessary and extensive" play.