PORTLAND, Ore. — Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson laughed to maintain from crying this season.
Henderson missed the primary 51 video games of the season with a torn left hamstring, the newest 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 taking part in properly recently 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 right. I see what’s occurring. I see what the person above needs me to undergo.’ I accepted it proper when it occurred. I’m into a distinct mode now. I’m at the restoration mode. I’m getting again wholesome. …
“Honestly, I’ve been through so many ups and downs in my basketball and life in general that the only way you can kind of get over something is you don’t try to cry about it or whine about it. You can think about it and be sad for a little second, but at the end of the day, nobody cares. And that’s how I felt. Nobody cares gives a [expletive]. I just went out there and I was like, ‘I don’t care either. I’m going to bust my a–, work hard. I come back as fast as I can.’”
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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 presumably the playoffs, Henderson, his NBA All-Star teammate Deni Avdija and the Blazers will lastly be considered on an even bigger stage after being featured on nationwide TV simply six occasions this season. Henderson stated 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 stated. “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, taking pictures 41.9% from the sphere 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 stored 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 via 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 stated. “That just made me keep going every day. It wasn’t easy having treatment and all the [physical therapy]. But I know that was going to help me in the long run, so I did it.”
Henderson stated he wasn’t alone going via 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 stated. “I love this game so much. And I know a lot of people around the league that don’t really love it but just are good at it. But I love it. [It’s great] just to get back on the floor again. There were days where I couldn’t even touch the ball, go to the gym. They would have to kick me out of here. I would be shooting free throws every day.”
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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 taking pictures 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 O.D.D. — Overly Determined to Dominate — he acknowledged he nonetheless has lots of room to develop. Henderson and the Blazers have been craving for achievement 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 stated. “This is another stage, a bigger stage to play on.”
