Scoot Henderson Nears Return, Ready to Inject Life Into Blazers’ Second Half Push
TUALATIN - Scoot Henderson was all smiles in the locker room Sunday night, and for good reason. After a long, frustrating road back from injury, the Trail Blazers’ young point guard is finally nearing his return. And if all goes well, that return could come on a pretty special day - his birthday.
“I feel amazing,” Henderson said. “I’m ready.”
That readiness is more than just talk. On Monday, Henderson took part in a full slate of three-on-three and one-on-one drills at the Blazers’ practice facility, pushing himself through some of the most intense basketball activity he’s had since going down in late September. While he stopped short of declaring himself available for Tuesday night’s matchup against the Suns, all signs point to a return sometime this week - a long-awaited development for both Henderson and a Blazers squad that’s been missing his burst.
“Honestly, it was one of my first days where I’m like, ‘OK, I can keep going now. I can keep playing even longer,’” Henderson said. “I felt great.”
That’s not just optimism - it’s progress. Henderson has been steadily ramping up over the past several weeks, starting with non-contact work in late December and early January before being cleared for full activity about two weeks ago.
Since then, he’s been involved in everything from half-court three-on-three to full-court five-on-five scrimmages. Monday marked a turning point - a session that left him feeling not just healthy, but game-ready.
Blazers acting head coach Tiago Splitter echoed that sentiment, noting that while Henderson is still a step behind teammate Blake Wesley in terms of conditioning, he’s closing the gap quickly.
“He was sprinting all over the court,” Splitter said. “So he’s getting there.”
It’s been a long road. Henderson suffered the injury - a setback that’s never been publicly detailed in full - during a pickup game just days before training camp opened.
At the time, the Blazers projected a four-to-eight week recovery window, with general manager Joe Cronin suggesting it could stretch to 10 weeks. That was back on September 29.
Now, more than four months and 50 missed games later, Henderson is finally on the verge of returning to the floor.
The time away hasn’t been easy. Henderson admitted there were nights filled with frustration and doubt - moments where he found himself asking “why” as he watched his teammates compete without him.
But he leaned heavily on his faith and the support of the Blazers’ mental wellness staff, particularly director Chantelle Green. Together, they built a checklist of recovery benchmarks, and Henderson said he’s now crossed every item off.
“Just another steppingstone, another obstacle,” Henderson said. “I give all my worry to Him and feel great at the end of it.”
Before the injury, this season was supposed to be a launchpad for Henderson - a chance to take the next step in his evolution from No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 draft to cornerstone of the Blazers’ rebuild. Through his first two seasons, he’s shown flashes - averaging 13.3 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.1 rebounds across 128 games - but consistency and health have been elusive.
This season was different. With the most complete supporting cast of his young career and mentorship from a pair of veteran All-Star guards in Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday, the table was set for a breakout campaign. Instead, Henderson has spent most of it on the sideline, watching and waiting.
Now, that wait is almost over.
The Blazers, sitting at 23-27 and currently in 10th place in the Western Conference, are in the thick of the NBA Play-in Tournament race. They trail the ninth-place Clippers by just a game, and with Henderson back in the mix, Portland’s backcourt rotation could get a much-needed jolt of speed and intensity.
“I’m giddy,” Henderson said. “I’ve been giddy this whole season.
I’m just ready for another opportunity to show what I’m capable of - for our team to show what we’re capable of. It’ll just feel good, to play again, man.”
Expect Henderson to bring his trademark energy from the jump. He’s eager to press full court, push the pace, and set a tone that could help Portland make a real push down the stretch. It may take a few games for him to fully regain his rhythm, but the confidence and drive are clearly there.
And if his return does happen to come on his birthday? That’s just icing on the cake.