Third-year guard Scoot Henderson has not yet played for the Trail Blazers this season while recovering from a torn left hamstring, but his return appears to be getting closer.
Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report reports that Henderson is in the final stage of rehab and has begun taking part in full-contact practices.
“He’s able to do some contact now,” interim head coach Tiago Splitter said on Thursday.
“Getting better. I don’t have a date for you yet, but he’s doing a lot and feeling well after practice.”
When Portland first announced the injury shortly before training camp, the team estimated Henderson would be away from basketball activities for about four to eight weeks.
However, general manager Joe Cronin later warned that hamstring injuries can be “stubborn” and could extend the timeline.
Roughly four months later, the 6-foot-3 guard, who turns 22 next Tuesday, now looks close to returning.
The third overall pick in the 2023 draft had an uneven rookie year but showed improvement in his second season.
Over his final 35 games of 2024/25, he averaged 14.2 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.1 rebounds in 27.5 minutes, shooting .434/.384/.766.
Portland could also soon regain guard Blake Wesley, who has been out since October 31 after foot surgery. Splitter indicated he is also nearing the end of his recovery.
Wesley had been a regular bench contributor, averaging 17.6 minutes in his five healthy games.
Both players face contract decisions this summer, with Henderson eligible for a rookie-scale extension and Wesley set to become an unrestricted free agent.
Scoot Henderson In Final Stage Of Hamstring Recovery https://t.co/owljELpPQw pic.twitter.com/r7ile3a2xx
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 29, 2026
