{"id":179199,"date":"2026-02-28T09:00:56","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T14:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=179199"},"modified":"2026-02-28T05:29:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T10:29:41","slug":"scoot-henderson-can-shine-amid-the-trail-blazers-injuries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/28\/scoot-henderson-can-shine-amid-the-trail-blazers-injuries\/","title":{"rendered":"Scoot Henderson Can Shine Amid The Trail Blazers&#8217; Injuries"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Portland Trail Blazers&#8217; injuries have slightly derailed the promising second half of the 2025-26 season. With <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/avdijde01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Deni Avdija<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sharpsh01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shaedon Sharpe<\/a> out injured, it is <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hendesc01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Scoot Henderson<\/a>&#8216;s opportunity to shine. Avdija&#8217;s issues have opened a starting spot for Henderson, so there is precedent.<\/p>\n<h2>Scoot Henderson Can Shine Amid The Trail Blazers&#8217; Injuries<\/h2>\n<p>Before the All-Star break, people were optimistic about the Portland Trail Blazers. Projections showed they could compete for the sixth seed because of the league&#8217;s easiest schedule. Now, that might not happen because of the major injuries.<\/p>\n<p>The Blazers&#8217; two leading scorers, Avdija and Sharpe, are dealing with injuries. Avdija&#8217;s issues are with his back, while Sharpe continues to struggle with his season-long calf injury. This has left Portland short-handed again without its <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/01\/24\/the-portland-trail-blazers-future-continues-to-be-promising\/\" target=\"_self\">promising building blocks<\/a>, but it might open new doors for other players.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: 800px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"a61405551f80e72f675225f083759bb9\" image-id=\"fwuQaP9vCRos\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 3900px; aspect-ratio: 3900\/2700;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<h3>The Trail Blazers&#8217; Injuries Limit Their Ceiling<\/h3>\n<p>Injuries are no joke, especially with the Blazers. They can never string together a few games with a healthy roster. In fact, their promising backcourt of Henderson and Sharpe has only played a single minute together this season.<\/p>\n<p>Considering they are the franchise&#8217;s future, that is disappointing. They are the most promising duo at the perimeter. In the frontcourt, they do have <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/clingdo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Donovan Clingan<\/a>, who has <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/01\/06\/clingan-has-proven-himself-as-the-trail-blazers-best-center\/\" target=\"_self\">firmly cemented himself as the franchise center<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Donovan Clingan this month:<\/p>\n<p>15.0 PPG<br \/>13.5 RPG<br \/>2.3 BPG<br \/>1.9 3PM<br \/>55.3 FG%<br \/>46.3 3P%<\/p>\n<p>Top two in rebounds and blocks in February. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/eZ1FCgGNJB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/eZ1FCgGNJB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; StatMuse (@statmuse) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/statmuse\/status\/2027424701245510044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 27, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Without Avdija and Sharpe, the Blazers have a limit on their potential. On offense, those two were reliable 20+ points per game scorers. Now, they have an inconsistent pairing of <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/grantje01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jerami Grant<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holidjr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jrue Holiday<\/a> as the top options.<\/p>\n<p>Henderson has shown he can be aggressive, but he is still getting the hang of things. He does not have a minutes restriction anymore, so he can capitalize on his chances. It will be up to acting head coach Tiago Splitter to utilize everyone in the right role.<\/p>\n<h3>The Second Half Of The Season Is Henderson&#8217;s Opportunity<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_179299\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-179299\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28350826_168420457_lowres-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) during the second half of an NBA game at United Center.\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" class=\"size-large wp-image-179299\" srcset=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28350826_168420457_lowres-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28350826_168420457_lowres-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28350826_168420457_lowres-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28350826_168420457_lowres-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28350826_168420457_lowres-2048x1366.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28350826_168420457_lowres-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/9\/2026\/02\/USATSI_28350826_168420457_lowres-1200x800.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-179299\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Feb 26, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) is defended by Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis (14) during the second half of an NBA game at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Henderson was absent for the majority of the first half of the 2025-26 season. That left Portland in a rut with their point guard position, especially when Holiday also suffered an injury. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/01\/31\/the-concerning-problem-with-deni-avdijas-blazers-role\/\" target=\"_self\">Avdija had to take over as the floor general<\/a>, which was productive but suboptimal.<\/p>\n<p>Since Avdija&#8217;s issues require the Blazers to be careful, Henderson could be the player who capitalizes. He is the most natural playmaker on the Blazers&#8217; roster alongside Holiday. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/12\/08\/scoot-hendersons-return-could-fuel-a-blazers-comeback\/\" target=\"_self\">Henderson also speeds up the play like no other<\/a>, which is what Splitter wants from his team.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Just in case you forgot that Scoot Henderson really does this <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GuX8IU76ri\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/GuX8IU76ri<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Playoff Toumani \ud83c\udf39 (@PlayoffToumani) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PlayoffToumani\/status\/2019569006639001788?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">February 6, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Henderson got the starting role in their latest win against the Chicago Bulls. If he can co-exist with Holiday more, Henderson can slot into the Avdija and Sharpe void. It will be challenging, but he is talented enough to live up to that role.<\/p>\n<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/weslebl01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Blake Wesley<\/a> can also play a solid role when needed. He is more of a defensive player, but he can also pick up the pace for Portland. As long as they are playing with pace and strength, Splitter will continue with his preferred play style.<\/p>\n<h3>Avdija&#8217;s Issues Could Lead To More Breakout Players<\/h3>\n<p>Avdija earned his All-Star selection this season, but the back injury is concerning. <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/24\/resting-avdija-could-be-key-to-the-blazers-postseason-hopes\/\" target=\"_self\">Resting him would be the best choice<\/a> at the moment because they need him to be fully healthy. They will most likely reach the Play-In Tournament, so having a healthy Avdija could push them over the edge.<\/p>\n<p>In the meantime, Henderson should take over. He is in his third season, so he should deliver on his potential. Of course, he is still fresh from an injury, but there&#8217;s no better time than now.<\/p>\n<p>The Blazers need Henderson to step up and prove himself. He will have a good supporting cast with Holiday and Grant. Henderson and Clingan have shown they have solid chemistry in the 2024-25 season. Henderson&#8217;s opportunity to shine will involve their superb dynamic.<\/p>\n<p>Splitter has to make adjustments, as he usually plays Henderson off the ball. Holiday can also play more without the ball, considering he is a positive three-point shooter. As long as they are more dynamic, the Blazers can finally reach the postseason.<\/p>\n<p>Featured Image: <span>Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Portland Trail Blazers&#8217; injuries have slightly derailed the promising second half of the 2025-26 season. With Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe out injured, it is Scoot Henderson&#8216;s opportunity to shine. Avdija&#8217;s issues have opened a starting spot for Henderson, so there is precedent. Scoot Henderson Can Shine Amid The Trail Blazers&#8217; Injuries Before the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5385,"featured_media":179298,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,62,23],"tags":[2831,49145,4702,4600,443],"class_list":["post-179199","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nba","category-trailblazers","tag-deni-avdija","tag-donovan-clingan","tag-scoot-henderson","tag-shaedon-sharpe","tag-tiago-splitter"],"modified_by":"Benjamin Yu","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179199","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5385"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=179199"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179199\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":179300,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/179199\/revisions\/179300"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/179298"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=179199"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=179199"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=179199"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}