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NBA Notes: Blazers, Scoot Henderson, Grizzlies, Brandon Clarke, Mavs

Originally posted on Hoops Wire | By Sam Amico | Last updated Sep 26, 2025 6:55 PM ET

Trail Blazers

Bad news for the Blazers: Scoot Henderson has gone down with a torn left hamstring, the team announced.

The third-year guard suffered the injury during a workout this week and is expected to be sidelined from basketball activities for four-to-eight weeks. That doesn’t mean he’ll be game-ready in that timeframe, just that he can start drills. Translation: Henderson will miss the start of the season.

The 21-year-old showed improvement in Year 2 after a rocky rookie season, averaging 14.0 points, 5.4 assists and 3.1 rebounds overall while tightening up his efficiency and cutting back on turnovers.

Still, Portland’s backcourt takes a hit, especially after bringing back Damian Lillard (waived by Milwaukee following his Achilles tear). That leaves Jrue Holiday and Blake Wesley as candidates to soak up minutes at the point until Henderson returns.

Grizzlies

There’s been another setback for Brandon Clarke. The Grizzlies big man is undergoing an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee to address synovitis.

The team says Clarke’s previous PCL sprain has healed, but this inflammation cropped up during training sessions. He’ll be out at least six weeks, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. It’s the latest in a string of injuries for Clarke, who also missed most of 2023-24 with a torn Achilles.

The Grizzlies also gave updates on other frontcourt names:

Zach Edey (ankle surgery) is cleared to ramp up but still six-to-nine weeks away.
Jaren Jackson Jr. (turf toe surgery) is also ramping up and should be back in four-to-six weeks.
Rookie Cedric Coward is good to go after a shoulder injury and will be a full participant in camp.

With Clarke, Edey and Jackson all expected to miss time, Memphis’ early-season rotation will likely lean more on Santi Aldama and Jock Landale.

Mavericks

Dallas has gone into reunion mode.

The Mavs announced the signing of Dennis Smith Jr., who returns on a one-year deal after originally being drafted by the team in 2017. His contract is expected to be non-guaranteed or partially guaranteed, giving him a shot to stick if he proves himself in camp.

Smith, 26, has bounced around the league but built a reputation as a strong defender during his stint in Charlotte two years ago.

Also official: Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has joined the roster on a camp deal. The 24-year-old forward averaged 6.3 points and 4.8 rebounds in 66 games for New Orleans last year.

While Dallas has depth in the frontcourt — Anthony Davis, Cooper Flagg, Daniel Gafford, P.J. Washington, Dereck Lively II, Dwight Powell — Robinson-Earl passed on overseas opportunities to fight for a spot with the Mavs.