Jaylen Wells Explains Why Grizzlies Keep Getting Into Foul Trouble

The Memphis Grizzlies were called for 25 fouls and turned the ball over 16 times Monday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. New Orleans won 135-134 in overtime at FedExForum, handing Memphis its first loss of the season.

The Pelicans went 25-of-30 at the free-throw line and took 101 shots to the Grizzlies' 91. They committed 8 turnovers and scored 21 points off the 16 that Memphis gave up.

Through seven games, Memphis is averaging 25.9 fouls and 16.0 turnovers while allowing 110.1 points per game. Two nights before the loss, Cam Spencer handed out 13 assists without a turnover in a 136-105 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Jaylen Wells met with reporters Wednesday at shootaround ahead of the home game against the Indiana Pacers. He said some of the fouling traces back to help defenders arriving a second or two late.

"I think it just starts with watching film," Wells said. "I think everyone can take a personal responsibility for that. Obviously, I'm a player who guards the best players, so the fouling starts with me at the top, and then we have bigs that can get into foul trouble. It's more of a personal thing. I think we can all just kind of go back and watch the film and look into it and just be better in that aspect."

"But I think also at the same time, after looking at the film, there's a lot of team defensive things that we're missing rotations, people aren't helping where they're supposed to help, or just like a second, two seconds late," Wells continued. "So all those things contribute to fouls, being out of position."

Wells has been called for 23 fouls in seven starts this season, an average of 3.3 per game. He picked up 3 in each of his last five games.

Last season, he averaged 2.1 fouls across 69 starts.

He has 3 turnovers in 197 minutes. Against New Orleans, Wells had 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists with no turnovers in 34 minutes.

Zach Edey fouled out in overtime Monday. The 7-foot-3 center was whistled for his third foul two minutes into the second quarter, and he finished with 6 points on 2-of-6 shooting in 19:24.

Through six games, Edey is averaging 3.7 fouls in 20.0 minutes. Two surgical procedures on his left ankle limited him to 11 games last season.

Isaiah Stewart, who has started one of his six games, is at 3.5 fouls in 19.7 minutes.

Ty Jerome scored 40 points on 14-of-22 shooting Monday. He scored 9 straight points late in regulation, the last of them tying the game at 124 with 4.6 seconds left.

Zion Williamson scored 9 of his 25 points in overtime. Jeremiah Fears made 2 free throws with 7.3 seconds remaining for the final margin.

Rest and individual work made up the reset for Wells after Monday.

"I think it was pretty simple," Wells explained. "A lot of it had to do with getting rest, coming in, getting your work in, whatever you got to do. But I think we're back on the same page. We're ready for tonight."

Memphis drafted Wells 39th overall in 2024. He started 74 of his 79 games as a rookie, made the All-Rookie First Team, and finished third in Rookie of the Year voting. His second season ended early after a March 31 procedure to stabilize his right big toe.

Through seven games this season, he is averaging 12.7 points on 55.0% shooting. He has made 14 of his 36 3-point attempts.

Indiana arrives at 2-6 after five straight losses. Tyrese Haliburton and T.J. McConnell are both out with hamstring injuries.

Tip-off is 7 p.m. CT.