Scoot Henderson

Portland Trail Blazers Guard Scoot Henderson Suffers Brutal Injury

Justin Rimpi

Just when you thought the Trail Blazers were ready to turn a corner, the universe threw a wrench—or maybe a whole toolbox—into their plans. Portland’s young gun, Scoot Henderson, went down with a torn left hamstring during a workout, and just like that, the team’s offseason optimism took a nosedive. The Blazers announced he’ll be sidelined for four to eight weeks, which, in NBA terms, feels like an eternity.

How Will Portland Fare Without Henderson?

This is a gut punch for a team and a player desperately needing a breakout year. Henderson, the third overall pick in 2023, has had a bit of a rocky start to his career, living in the shadows of fellow draftees Victor Wembanyama and Brandon Miller. Let’s be honest, his first couple of seasons haven’t exactly screamed “future of the franchise.” While his numbers saw a slight uptick last season, it wasn’t the leap anyone in Portland was hoping for.

Henderson’s Roller Coaster Career Continues

Entering his third year, this was supposed to be Henderson’s time to shine. With Anfernee Simons shipped out, the stage was set. He had the keys to the point guard position, with savvy veterans Jrue Holiday and a recovering Damian Lillard around to mentor him. It was a script straight out of a sports movie—the young prodigy finally gets his shot, guided by the wise old heads.

Instead, we’re back to square one. The team’s statement says he’s expected to “return to basketball activities” in 4-8 weeks. Any sports fan knows that’s code for “don’t hold your breath.” Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, and the Blazers will likely wrap him in bubble wrap before letting him back on the court. A return around Thanksgiving feels optimistic at this point.

What’s Next For the Blazers?

So, where do the Trail Blazers go from here? The most likely scenario is sliding Holiday into the starting point guard spot, a move that provides stability but dampens the excitement around developing their young core. With Henderson out, the already thin backcourt just got stretched even thinner.

This injury is a tough pill to swallow for “Rip City.” The hope was that Henderson would finally put it all together and prove why he was drafted so high. Instead, he’s back on the injury report, and the Blazers are left scrambling before the season even starts. You can’t help but shake your head. The basketball gods can be cruel.

Justin has been a sportswriter for nearly a decade. He has previously written for 247 Sports an Sports Illustrated.

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