Scoot Henderson made a highly anticipated return to the court during the Trail Blazers’ game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night, earning a standing ovation from the home crowd. After missing the start of the 2025-26 NBA season due to a serious hamstring injury, Henderson finally stepped back onto the court, providing a boost for Portland in their ongoing campaign.
Henderson had been sidelined since training camp, and his absence forced the Blazers to depend on other players to fill the point guard role while he underwent rehabilitation. The excitement among fans was palpable as they greeted their promising young guard, marking a hopeful turning point for the team.
Impactful Performance Helps End Losing Streak Against Grizzlies
In his season debut, Scoot Henderson played an active and influential role, contributing to Portland’s decisive 135-115 victory that snapped a six-game losing streak. Despite a sluggish start that left them trailing 36-25 after the first quarter, the Trail Blazers dominated the middle periods, outscoring Memphis by 30 points across the second and third quarters to secure the win.
Henderson finished with a stat line of 11 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and one steal. His shooting included 4-of-10 from the field, 2-of-7 from three-point range, and 1-of-2 from the charity stripe. Other standout performers included Jerami Grant with 23 points and two rebounds, Jrue Holiday posting 20 points and seven assists, and Toumani Camara contributing 15 points and four rebounds. Donovan Clingan’s double-double of 13 points and 17 rebounds, along with Robert Williams III’s 13 points and seven boards, further anchored the team effort.
Portland’s Position in Western Conference and Upcoming Challenges
With the win, Portland improved to a 24-28 record, placing them 10th in the Western Conference standings. The Trail Blazers now hold a three-game advantage over the Memphis Grizzlies and stand 4.5 games ahead of the Dallas Mavericks. However, they remain behind the Los Angeles Clippers by just half a game and trail the Golden State Warriors by four games, setting up a tense playoff race as the season progresses.
The team’s next test comes in a rematch against the Grizzlies, scheduled for February 7 at 10 p.m. ET on their home court. Henderson’s return and performance could be pivotal in Portland’s efforts to climb the standings and secure a playoff berth this season.
“Standing ovation for Scoot 👏 After missing 51 games due to injury, the Trail Blazers guard is back in action! pic.twitter.com/LtBOKVwk0r” — NBA (@NBA)
Standing ovation for Scoot đź‘Ź
After missing 51 games due to injury, the Trail Blazers guard is back in action! pic.twitter.com/LtBOKVwk0r
— NBA (@NBA) February 7, 2026
