Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson overcomes injuries to arrive at NBA play-in tournament

PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Trail Blazers guard Scott Henderson laughed to maintain from crying this season.

Henderson missed the primary 51 video games of the season with a torn left hamstring, the most recent setback in what’s been a roller-coaster profession for the No. 3 choose within the 2023 NBA draft. But now that Henderson is again on the courtroom wholesome and enjoying nicely currently as a starter, he’s all smiles because the Blazers try to advance out of the play-in tournament and make the playoffs for the primary time in his profession.

“I never felt bad for myself,” Henderson informed Andscape on April 10. “Even when [the injury] occurred, I’m like, ‘I ain’t going to really feel dangerous for myself.’ I simply began laughing. I’m like, ‘All proper. I see what’s taking place. I see what the person above needs me to undergo.’ I accepted it proper when it occurred. I’m into a special mode now. I’m within the restoration mode. I’m getting again wholesome. …

“Honestly, I’ve been by means of so many ups and downs in my basketball and life typically that the one approach you’ll be able to sort of recover from one thing is you do not strive to cry about it or whine about it. You can give it some thought and be unhappy for somewhat second, however at the top of the day, no person cares. And that is how I felt. Nobody cares offers a [expletive]. I simply went on the market and I used to be like, ‘I do not care both. I’m going to bust my a–, work arduous. I come again as quick as I can.’”

If they earn a playoff berth, Henderson and the Blazers could be one of many shock groups of the NBA season.

The Blazers are the Western Conference’s eighth seed after ending the common season 42-40. Portland will go to the seventh-seed Phoenix Suns (45-37) on Tuesday in a play-in tournament recreation, with the winner securing the West’s seventh seed. The loser will get a second alternative to make the playoff area, internet hosting the winner of Wednesday’s play-in recreation between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors for the West’s eighth seed.

In the play-in tournament and probably the playoffs, Henderson, his NBA All-Star teammate Deni Avdija and the Blazers will lastly be considered on a much bigger stage after being featured on nationwide TV simply six instances this season. Henderson mentioned the Blazers have a “win mentality” coming into the postseason.

“We’re just trying to get a cycle of playing good before the play-ins and hopefully in the playoffs,” Henderson mentioned. “So, I feel great about it. I love these games.”

The former G League Ignite star missed roughly three weeks early in his rookie season, which the Trail Blazers completed 21-61. He made strides in his second season, capturing 41.9% from the sector after a 38.5% mark as a rookie. But regardless of a career-high 39 factors towards the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 14, 2025, his scoring common dropped from 14.1 factors per recreation to 12.7. Portland completed 36-46, three video games out of the play-in tournament.

An offseason hamstring damage saved Henderson out of video games this season till Feb. 6, and the 6-foot-3, 207-pound guard credited his religion and household for getting him by means of his damage hurdle.

“I got through it from the man above and my family supporting me and keeping my dream alive knowing my goal is to continue to try to dominate,” Henderson mentioned. “That simply made me maintain going every single day. It wasn’t straightforward having remedy and all of the [physical therapy]. But I do know that was going to assist me in the long term, so I did it.”

Henderson mentioned he wasn’t alone going by means of it, as Blazers star Damian Lillard was rehabbing at the identical time. The nine-time NBA All-Star continues to be recovering from a torn Achilles tendon from final 12 months.

While the rehab time with Lillard was invaluable, Henderson was pained by being away from the sport.

“Honestly, what I missed most was traveling with the guys,” Henderson mentioned. “I really like this recreation a lot. And I do know lots of people across the league that do not actually like it however simply are good at it. But I like it. [It’s great] simply to get again on the ground once more. There had been days the place I could not even contact the ball, go to the fitness center. They would have to kick me out of right here. “I would be shooting free throws every day.”

Henderson completed this season averaging 14.2 factors, 3.7 assists and a pair of.7 rebounds per recreation in 30 video games. His spotlight was scoring a season-high 28 factors towards the Indiana Pacers on March 8. He has been a spark for Portland since then, averaging 15.9 factors per recreation and capturing 45.2% (42.9 from 3-point vary) in 18 video games because the Trail Blazers completed 12-6.

While Henderson nonetheless lives by his motto of ODD — Overly Determined to Dominate — he acknowledged he nonetheless has a number of room to develop. Henderson and the Blazers have been craving for fulfillment and respect for years.

A playoff berth will definitely make an announcement.

“I’m still working towards what I expected for myself, for sure,” Henderson mentioned. “This is another stage, a bigger stage to play on.”