Scoot Henderson Returns, Ignites Blazers in Blowout Win Over Grizzlies
It’s been a long wait, but Scoot Henderson is finally back-and the Moda Center crowd made sure he felt every bit of the love.
After missing the entire first half of the 2025-26 season with a hamstring injury that sidelined him since training camp, Henderson made his long-anticipated season debut Friday night against the Memphis Grizzlies. The second-year guard was met with a standing ovation before checking in, a moment that marked not just his return to action, but a potential turning point for a Trail Blazers team that’s been grinding through adversity.
And Henderson didn’t just show up-he made an impact.
In his first game back, Henderson helped snap Portland’s six-game losing streak in emphatic fashion, as the Blazers rolled past the Grizzlies 135-115 at home. It wasn’t all smooth sailing early on-Portland trailed 36-25 after the first quarter-but they flipped the switch in the second and third, outscoring Memphis 81-51 across those two frames. That mid-game surge cracked the contest wide open and set the tone for a much-needed win.
Henderson looked sharp considering the layoff, finishing with 11 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and a steal in his return. He shot 4-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-7 from deep, and added a free throw for good measure. More importantly, he looked comfortable running the offense-decisive with the ball, active on both ends, and showing flashes of the explosive playmaking that made him such a high pick.
But this wasn’t a one-man show. Portland had eight players score in double figures, a balanced attack that overwhelmed a shorthanded Grizzlies squad.
Jerami Grant led the way with 23 points, while Jrue Holiday added 20 points and seven assists. Toumani Camara chipped in 15 points and four boards, and rookie big man Donovan Clingan continued to impress with 13 points and a monster 17 rebounds.
Robert Williams III also made his presence felt with 13 points and seven boards off the bench.
The win bumps Portland to 24-28 on the season, keeping them in the thick of the Western Conference play-in race. They currently sit 10th in the standings, three games ahead of Memphis and 4.5 games up on Dallas. They're just half a game behind the Clippers and four games back of the Warriors, so there’s still plenty of room to climb.
Standing ovation for Scoot 👏
— NBA (@NBA) February 7, 2026
After missing 51 games due to injury, the Trail Blazers guard is back in action! pic.twitter.com/LtBOKVwk0r
With Henderson back in the fold and the team finally getting healthy, the Blazers might just be finding their rhythm at the right time. They'll get another crack at Memphis on Feb. 7 in a rematch at home-a chance to build momentum and keep pushing forward in a crowded playoff picture.
For now, though, Friday night was about more than just a win. It was about a young star stepping back onto the court, a fanbase rallying behind him, and a team showing signs of life when they needed it most.