Scoot Henderson’s Season in Jeopardy: Shocking Hamstring Tear Sidelines Rising Star for Up to Two Months

As the 2025-26 NBA season sneaks up on us, Portland Trail Blazers’ young sparkplug Scoot Henderson finds himself sidelined before the first tip-off. That’s right—during a sweaty offseason grind, the 21-year-old ball-handler tore his left hamstring, putting a pause on what was shaping up to be a pivotal year for him and the team. The Blazers dropped the news Friday, estimating Scoot’s time out at anywhere from four to eight weeks. It’s a frustrating blow, no doubt, leaving a gap in Portland’s rotation just as the preseason looms against the Warriors on October 8 and the season opener versus the Timberwolves follows on the 22nd. Henderson, a promising talent drafted third overall last year, was eyeing a spot off the bench behind the newly acquired Jrue Holiday—an adjustment now shuffled with Dalano Banton poised to take on a bigger role. And in the grander scheme of things, Scoot’s setback is part of a troubling trend, with other notable guards like Jared McCain and Fred VanVleet also battling offseason injuries. The drama continues—and for Trail Blazers fans, patience will be the name of the game. LEARN MORE

With the 2025-26 NBA season around the corner, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Scoot Henderson will be missing time to start the year. The team announced Friday that Henderson suffered a left hamstring tear during an offseason workout.

As a result of the injury, Henderson will be out 4-8 weeks. The team says Henderson can return to basketball activities in that time, though an exact timeline for his return is unclear.

Portland begins preseason Oct. 8 with a matchup against the Golden State Warriors. The Trail Blazers’ season opener is set for Oct. 22, as the team hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Henderson, who was drafted No. 3 overall by Portland in 2023, was set to start his third season with the team. The 21-year-old point guard averaged 12.7 points, three rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season, leading the team in assists per game.

Henderson was likely to come off the bench this season behind veteran point guard Jrue Holiday, an offseason acquisition for the Trail Blazers. With Henderson out, Dalano Banton will likely get more time off the bench behind Holiday.

Henderson is the latest NBA player to suffer an injury during the offseason. Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain’s injury woes continued after tearing a ligament in his thumb Thursday. Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet suffered a season-ending ACL tear during a team workout in the Bahamas, with the veteran guard successfully undergoing surgery.