Trail Blazers rookie guard Scoot Henderson (ankle) to miss 2-3 weeks

Portland Trail Blazers rookie guard Scoot Henderson is out 2-3 weeks after an MRI revealed a bone bruise in addition to a right ankle sprain, the team announced Saturday.

Henderson, Portland’s third overall pick in this year’s draft, has missed the last three games. The 6-foot-3 guard injured his ankle during the third quarter of a 110-101 win over the Detroit Pistons on Nov. 1.

According to multiple NBA betting sites, the guard holds third-shortest odds to win NBA Rookie of the Year in 2024. Sportsbooks are showing better odds for Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren.

Scoot Henderson Injury Update.https://t.co/Qnlr68d15s

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) November 11, 2023

Through five starts of the 2023-24 season, Henderson is averaging 8.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 28.4 minutes per game. Plus, he’s shooting 34.6% from the floor and 85.7% at the foul line.

The former G League star is underperforming at the NBA level. The rookie guard is shooting only 9.5% from 3-point range. Henderson’s injury led to Malcolm Brogdon entering the starting lineup.

However, Brogdon injured his hamstring Wednesday at Sacramento. In response, Portland signed Skylar Mays to a standard contract and used his vacated two-way slot to sign guard Jamaree Bouyea.

Brogdon is now back in the starting lineup.

Portland Trail Blazers rookie guard Scoot Henderson out 2-3 weeks, center Robert Williams III out for season

In May 2021, Henderson signed a two-year, $1 million contract with the NBA G League Ignite. He was sidelined to start the season due to a rib injury.

On Nov. 17, 2021, Henderson made his official debut, tallying eight points and six rebounds in a 115–103 win against the South Bay Lakers. At age 17, he became the youngest player in G League history.

In his second career game, Henderson recorded a career-high 31 points, six rebounds, and five assists in a 112-110 loss to the Santa Cruz Warriors on Nov. 26.

In the 2021–22 season, he played 11 games in the G League Showcase Cup, averaging 14.3 points, 4.8 boards, and 4.2 assists per game.

INJURY REPORT 11/12 @ LAL:

OUT
Malcolm Brogdon (L Hamstring Strain)
Scoot Henderson (R Ankle Sprain)
Anfernee Simons (R Thumb Ligament Tear)
Robert Williams III (R Knee Ligament Tear)

QUESTIONABLE
Ish Wainright (R Calf Strain)

— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) November 12, 2023

Henderson then made six appearances with the Ignite in the 2022-23 season. The Georgia native averaged 21.2 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.7 steals, and 28.5 minutes per game.

In the Ignite’s 125-115 win over Santa Cruz on Nov. 12, Henderson logged 18 points, six rebounds, and a career-high 16 assists. Four days later, he posted a season-high 27 points, five rebounds, five assists, and four steals in a 110-95 victory against the Oklahoma City Blue.