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Scoot Henderson shoots Trail Blazers past Spurs to even series  
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson. Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

Scoot Henderson shoots Trail Blazers past Spurs to even series  

By Mike J. Asti  |  Last updated Apr 22, 2026 12:56 AM ET
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Aided by Victor Wembanyama exiting the game early after a scary fall, the Portland Trail Blazers evened up their first-round series with the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday night. Portland won the game 106-103, avenging Sunday's 111-98 loss. 

With Wembanyama only able to play 12 minutes, Portland guard Scoot Henderson became the young star leading his team to a big playoff win. Henderson, who only scored 18 in his playoff debut in Game 1, upped his output to 31 in the Trail Blazer's win. 

Scoot Henderson's big game came off efficient shooting 

Henderson, 22, hit 11-of-17 shots from the field for a 64.7% shooting night while also adding five threes, a rebound, a block and a steal. 

Even though Henderson only averaged 14.2 points during the regular season, he knew he was poised for a breakout postseason performance.

Henderson was asked when he realized he was feeling a hot shooting touch during the game. Oozing with confidence, he responded with a simple "when I woke up" answer. 

"It's just a feeling. I was telling myself the night before that they can't mess with you," Henderson added during his postgame media session with reporters.

Scoot Henderson's playoff performance is one of the best games of his career to date  

Henderson's 31-point game is his highest scoring total from any game from the 2025-26 season, including playoffs. It also becomes his third highest from any single game of his three-year career so far. 

Henderson was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the same year the Spurs made Wembanyama the No. 1 pick. Henderson has averages of 13.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists with a 40.4% clip from the field and a 34.3% mark from long range. 

Mike J. Asti
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Mike Asti is an experienced media personality and journalist with a vast resume and skillset, most notably from time with TribLIVE Radio and WPXI-TV. Asti now serves as the Managing Editor of WV Sports Now, where he leads the coverage of WVU sports. He has also covered the Steelers, Penguins, Pirates and other teams within the Pittsburgh market

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