The Trail Blazers’ fast start has come with a twist Scoot Henderson probably didn’t want. Portland is 5-1, Jrue Holiday is already giving the group a major lift, and the opening has been there for Henderson to seize a bigger role while Ja Morant is expected to miss about a month with a hamstring issue. Instead, he has not made the most of it.
Monday night’s win over the Denver Nuggets was another chance, and Henderson came up short. In his second start of the season, the 22-year-old guard finished with eight points and two assists. The one bright spot was his ability to get into the paint and force the defense to collapse, but that was about where the positives ended.
Portland’s first-half offense had plenty of rough edges, with five players often spaced around the 3-point line and possessions bogging down. When Henderson was able to attack downhill and find a lane, he either finished himself or opened things up for teammates.
But the game shifted more noticeably once he went to the bench and Holiday checked in. That was when the Trail Blazers started to take control from Nikola Jokic and company.
The bigger picture is even tougher for Henderson. Portland is sitting fourth in offensive rating at 118.8 points per game, though the 41-point opening-night win over the Phoenix Suns does boost that number. Still, the offense already looks like one that can hurt teams in a variety of ways.
The contrast with Henderson is stark. When he is on the floor, the Trail Blazers are averaging just 102 points, a figure that would rank second-to-last in the NBA behind only the Charlotte Hornets at 100.4. There is at least an argument that he fits better defensively than Morant because of his more physical frame, and he is also benefiting from more time alongside Toumani Camara and Sidy Sissoko.
Even so, the message is clear: Henderson has to offer more. Morant is coming back soon enough, Holiday is making a strong push for Sixth Man of the Year, and if Henderson can’t contribute on both ends every night, he risks being left behind.
In Other News...
Blazers Keep Getting Better News From The Damian Lillard Trade
The Damian Lillard trade keeps looking better for Portland, not just because of what the Blazers received in the deal, but because of how the rest of the transaction has played out since. Milwaukee has been trying to navigate an early-season slump after parting with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the ripple effects of the Lillard move have only added to the sense that Portland came out ahead in a major way.
For the Blazers, the return was always about more than one player, and the draft capital attached to the deal has given the franchise more flexibility as it tries to build forward. Milwaukees decision to waive Lillard to create cap room also underscored how much long-term financial maneuvering came with the trade, leaving Portland with a package that keeps gaining value as the Bucks continue to sort through the fallout. [Read more 🡒]
Blazers Fans May Not Like How Close This Suns Rematch Looks
The Trail Blazers are heading into their rematch with the Suns in a familiar spot for an early-season contender: dealing with injury absences while still trying to keep the momentum rolling. Portland is expected to be without key players Ja Morant and Shaedon Sharpe, which makes the matchup a little trickier on paper, even as the Blazers have opened the season strong and remain the models pick to win.
For fans, the interesting part is how tight this one looks against the betting market. The simulation projections point toward Portland, but they also suggest a game that could stay close enough to test whether the Blazers can keep turning solid starts into actual results. With the Suns back on the schedule, the margin for error feels slim, and the numbers are leaving just enough room for a tense finish. [Read more 🡒]
Sidy Cissoko Is Quietly Solving A Blazers Problem Joe Cronin Bet On
Joe Cronins decision to stand pat on the wing after the offseason has looked a little less risky with each passing game. The Trail Blazers did not go out and chase a replacement for the players they lost, trusting the roster already in place, and Sidy Cissoko has started to look like the kind of internal answer that can make that bet work. The 22-year-old has carved out a real role off the bench, bringing a steadier offensive touch and the kind of defensive versatility Portland can use in a rotation that still has some sorting out to do.
Through the first six games, Cissoko has given the Blazers something beyond a temporary hot stretch. His shooting has improved, his activity on the other end has fit what the team needs, and the minutes he is getting do not feel accidental. Portland is intentionally making room for him, which says plenty about how the staff views his place in the rotation and how much confidence there is that this two-way impact can hold up. [Read more 🡒]