The Moda Center was buzzing with anticipation on Friday night as fans welcomed back Scoot Henderson for his long-awaited season debut with the Portland Trail Blazers. After months of grueling rehab from a torn left hamstring, the young guard finally rejoined his teammates in a pivotal matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. For Portland, the timing couldn’t have been better—after dropping six straight games, the Blazers were desperate for a spark. Henderson’s return brought just that, and the result was a convincing 135-115 victory that might just mark a turning point in their season.
Henderson’s journey back to the court was anything but straightforward. The 2023 third overall pick suffered his injury during an offseason workout in September 2025, initially expecting to miss just four to six weeks. But recovery proved more complicated, and he didn’t resume non-contact basketball activities until December. Full practice didn’t begin until two weeks before his February 6 return, making his comeback all the more impressive. As the Moda Center crowd erupted in cheers, Henderson entered the game with 7:39 left in the first quarter—his first NBA action since March 27, 2025.
“I’m just trying to get back out there so we can get some more wins going into the second half of the season,” Henderson told reporters earlier in the week. His teammates and coaches echoed that optimism. Blazers coach Tiago Splitter made it clear before tip-off that Henderson’s minutes would be limited, saying, “He was a big part of the vision that we had during the summer, and now we kind of get him super late in the season. He’s going to have a couple of games here to be his preseason.”
Despite the restrictions, Henderson’s impact was immediate and undeniable. He finished the night with 11 points, nine assists, five rebounds, and a steal in just 21 minutes on the floor. His stat line—4-of-10 shooting from the field, 2-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 1-of-2 from the free-throw line—only told part of the story. Henderson’s energy and playmaking helped Portland claw back from an early deficit, as they trailed 36-25 after the first quarter. The Blazers then exploded in the second and third quarters, outscoring Memphis 81-51 during that stretch and seizing control of the game.
Henderson wasn’t the only player making a return on Friday night. Memphis guard Scotty Pippen Jr. also made his season debut after undergoing surgery on his left big toe in October. With his Hall of Fame father watching courtside, Pippen started for the Grizzlies and contributed 13 points, three rebounds, and six assists in 22 minutes. It was a special moment for both young guards, each overcoming significant injuries to get back on the floor.
For Portland, the victory was a true team effort. Eight players scored in double digits, a testament to the squad’s depth and renewed confidence. Jerami Grant led the way with 23 points and two rebounds, while Jrue Holiday chipped in 20 points and seven assists. Toumani Camara added 15 points and four rebounds, Donovan Clingan dominated the paint with 13 points and 17 rebounds (seven of them offensive), and Robert Williams III posted 13 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in just 19 minutes. The Blazers also won the turnover battle, scoring 23 points off 16 Memphis miscues, even as they committed 17 turnovers themselves.
“I try not to think about that too much, but that is something that’s going to be a challenge, I think,” Henderson said of reintegrating into the lineup after such a long layoff. “But I’m the player that kind of just can be thrown in any type of the fire and understand the role, and understand what I bring to the table, and have confidence in that role. So my teammates believe in me and coming back, and that’s all I can ask for.”
Henderson’s return also comes at a time of significant transition for Portland’s backcourt. After the offseason trade that sent Anfernee Simons to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Jrue Holiday, the Blazers have had to juggle injuries and lineup changes. Holiday himself only recently returned after missing 27 games with a right calf injury, while Blake Wesley is back on the court following a foot fracture. The return of multiple ball handlers has created a “good problem”—suddenly, the Blazers have more options than they’ve had in months. As a result, standout rookie guard Caleb Love did not dress for Friday’s game, a sign of the newfound depth and the rotation tinkering that lies ahead for coach Splitter.
Not everything went Portland’s way, though. Shaedon Sharpe, a key part of the Blazers’ backcourt, exited the game at halftime with a left calf injury and did not return. His status moving forward will be closely monitored, especially as the team looks to build on the momentum of this win. Meanwhile, forward Deni Avdija was ruled out before the game with a low back strain, further testing Portland’s depth.
For Memphis, the loss was a tough blow to an already depleted roster. Forced into small-ball lineups due to injuries, the Grizzlies struggled to contain Portland’s big men, particularly Clingan and Williams III. Still, Pippen Jr.’s return was a bright spot, and the young squad showed flashes of resilience, especially in the first quarter. The Blazers’ veteran presence and superior roster depth ultimately proved too much.
With the win, Portland improved to a 24-28 record on the season, holding onto the 10th spot in the Western Conference standings. They sit three games ahead of the Grizzlies and 4.5 games above the Dallas Mavericks, but still trail the Los Angeles Clippers by half a game and the Golden State Warriors by four. The victory snapped a six-game losing streak and injected some much-needed optimism into the Blazers’ playoff push.
Looking ahead, Portland will face Memphis again in a rematch at home on February 7, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET. The coaching staff will have plenty to consider as they manage a suddenly crowded backcourt and monitor the health of key contributors like Sharpe and Avdija. For now, though, the focus is on celebrating a hard-fought win and the return of a player who could be the difference-maker down the stretch.
As the Moda Center crowd made clear with their standing ovation, Scoot Henderson’s comeback is more than just a feel-good story—it’s a beacon of hope for a team looking to make some noise in the second half of the NBA season. As Portland eyes its next challenge, one thing is certain: with Henderson back in the fold, the Blazers’ outlook is a whole lot brighter.