The Portland Trail Blazers’ 2025-26 season is off to a bad start already.
Scoot Henderson’s Injury Changes Blazers 2025-26 Plans
Entering next season, the Blazers are among the most exciting teams because they had a strong second half in 2024-25 season. Many people expected, or at least wanted to believe, that they could keep up the momentum. Even with Damian Lillard to be sidelined for all of 2025-26 due to a torn Achilles, there’s a lot to look forward to.
Unfortunately, young point guard Scoot Henderson will be out for the next 4-8 weeks after tearing his hamstring in an offseason workout. Though he could always heal ahead of schedule, he’s now expected to be out for the season opener, and possibly longer. This is disappointing news for the Trail Blazers and their fans. Building off of a decent sophomore campaign, the team liked his offseason development.
Henderson’s Injury is a Massive Issue for Portland
Henderson’s injury will lead to a significant change for coach Chauncey Billups’ rotation. He’ll also lose crucial development time in the rotation alongside fellow franchise building block Shaedon Sharpe.
Scoot Henderson sustained a left hamstring tear during an off-season workout this week.
He will begin rehabilitation and is expected to return to basketball activities in 4-8 weeks.https://t.co/emvM22ANCt pic.twitter.com/EmG3hC5wNY
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) September 26, 2025
With that being said, Henderson’s injury essentially confirms that Jrue Holiday will enter 2025-26 as Portland’s starting point guard. It was a constant debate throughout the summer. Now, it’s an easy decision for Billups.
The Blazers could also face long-term implications with this injury. Lillard has full faith in Henderson. However, that might not matter when the front office makes its decision about its long-term plans.
It is Time for Other Blazers to Step Up
With Henderson sidelined, Holiday is the clear choice for Billups’ rotation as their lead guard. A veteran leader with a championship pedigree, can settle down the team’s offense as the primary playmaker. However, not having Henderson as a backup is problematic because they have several unproven players behind him on the depth chart:
After signing a one-year deal with Portland, Blake Wesley could get minutes. Two-way player Caleb Love could also receive playing time, even though he’s more of a shooting guard.
Billups will do his best to remedy this situation. As Sharpe and Deni Avdija have shown an affinity for playmaking, they may even be called upon. It’ll be a challenge but one that they may be able to guide properly.
Henderson Must Stay Focused
No matter how long he’s on the sidelines, Henderson must do his best to lock-in. His injury is a significant blow. However, as long as he recovers well, he can return and make an immediate impact.
The Trail Blazers very quietly had the 2nd best defense in the NBA for the last 41 games of 2025.
By replacing Anfernee Simons with Jrue Holiday and giving more of Deandre Ayton’s minutes to Donovan Clingan, they could hit another level this season.
They’ve got multiple point… pic.twitter.com/lfhtiNO4HB
— ʜᴠ (@hoopvenue_) September 21, 2025
With other players stepping up, Henderson might feel left out in the meantime. He just needs to keep his chin up because a lot of people within and outside of the organization believe in him.
© Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
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