The Portland Trail Blazers have higher expectations this season, which means higher expectations for Scoot Henderson. The 2023 No. 3 pick hasn’t exactly taken the league by storm, which is why his third season is so crucial.
Potentially breaking through could do a world of favors for the Trail Blazers, as their offseason moves clearly signal their intentions of making a run to the playoffs. Sadly, Portland just got some bad news on Henderson.
Scoot Henderson Will Miss Time Because of a Left Hamstring Tear
The Trail Blazers announced via the team’s official X account that Henderson suffered a left hamstring tear. With rehabilitation, that means he will return to basketball activities in six to eight weeks.
The post read: “Scoot Henderson sustained a left hamstring tear during an off-season workout this week. He will begin rehabilitation and is expected to return to basketball activities in 4-8 weeks.”
Scoot Henderson sustained a left hamstring tear during an off-season workout this week.
He will begin rehabilitation and is expected to return to basketball activities in 4-8 weeks.https://t.co/emvM22ANCt pic.twitter.com/EmG3hC5wNY
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) September 26, 2025
Henderson is coming off a season in which he averaged 12.7 points, 5.1 assists, and three rebounds while shooting 41.9% from the field and 35.4% from three. His numbers had a slight downtick, but his efficiency went up, showing that perhaps there is some progress.
That’s what makes his latest injury a little devastating for the Trail Blazers, as potentially taking a step forward could have been a major development regarding their playoff aspirations. While he may not be out for too long, his progress could have told Portland whether he deserved a bigger role.
It’s not the worst twist of fate the Trail Blazers could have received, but given how much doubt there is about Henderson, this is a sad turn of events. The team wants to see Henderson thrive, partly because it could take them to the next level they want to be at.
With him on the shelf for likely the first few weeks of the season, Portland will likely turn to Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, and Deni Avdija to handle the playmaking duties. However, if possible, they may turn to some of the better free agent point guards still without a team, like Ben Simmons and Russell Westbrook.
Luckily, the one way this could benefit Portland is that Henderson’s rehabilitation should get him more acquainted with Damian Lillard, who will be out for the season as he recovers from his Achilles tear. Many saw Henderson as Lillard’s replacement back in 2023. Spending time together could help the young Trail Blazer become the player Portland saw him as when they drafted him two years ago.
