Scoot Henderson Sidelined with Ankle Injury as Blazers’ Depth Gets Tested

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Wright | Last updated Feb 12, 2025 4:04 PM ET

The Trail Blazers' injury woes just got worse. Rookie point guard Scoot Henderson is out with a right ankle sprain, adding to a growing list of sidelined players. Henderson suffered the injury against the Nuggets on Monday night, exiting after scoring six points. Now, he’ll not only miss Wednesday’s rematch against Denver, but he’s also been ruled out of the Rising Stars event at All-Star Weekend—a stage where many were eager to see him shine.

This isn’t Henderson’s first battle with ankle issues. Earlier this season, he missed nine games with a similar sprain and bone bruise. The fact that this is becoming a recurring problem is a concern, both for his development and his durability moving forward.

Portland is already dealing with a long list of injuries. Deandre Ayton is out with a left calf strain, Jerami Grant is questionable with knee soreness, and Matisse Thybulle is also dealing with an ankle injury. That left the Blazers shorthanded in their 146-117 loss to Denver , despite Donovan Clingan dropping a career-high 21 points and Dalano Banton adding 22.

With Henderson sidelined, the Blazers will turn to Shaedon Sharpe and Dalano Banton to handle more of the playmaking duties. Sharpe has shown flashes of brilliance this season, but he’ll need to step up even more as a primary offensive creator. Banton, known for his versatility and size at the guard position, will also see increased minutes as Portland navigates this brutal stretch.

With the All-Star break approaching, the Blazers' focus will be on getting healthy and staying afloat. The hope is that the extra rest allows key players—especially Henderson—to fully recover and be ready for the final stretch of the season. Until then, Portland’s depth will be tested, and the coaching staff will need to make adjustments to keep this team competitive.

How the Blazers weather this adversity could have long-term implications for the franchise. The young core is being forced into bigger roles, and this stretch could be a defining moment in their development.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: