Scoot Henderson Nears Return as Hamstring Rehab Reaches Final Stage
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Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson has advanced to full-contact practice and is in the last phase of his recovery from a torn left hamstring, interim head coach Tiago Splitter said Thursday.
“He’s able to do some contact now… getting better,” Splitter told reporters, adding that the team has not set a target date for Henderson’s season debut but that the 6’3’’ guard “is doing a lot and feeling well after practice.”
Henderson suffered the injury during an offseason workout announced one week before training camp. The club initially projected a four-to-eight-week absence, yet general manager Joe Cronin cautioned on media day that the process could take longer because hamstring injuries are “stubborn and tricky.” Roughly four months later, the former No. 3 pick appears close to returning ahead of his 22nd birthday next Tuesday.
The third-year pro showed marked progress late last season, averaging 14.2 points, 5.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds over his final 35 games on .434/.384/.766 shooting in 27.5 minutes per contest.
Portland could also regain guard Blake Wesley soon. Splitter said Wesley, sidelined since Oct. 31 after foot surgery, has likewise entered the final stage of rehab. The reserve guard logged 17.6 minutes per game across five appearances before the injury.
Both players face pivotal contract decisions this summer: Henderson becomes eligible for a rookie-scale extension, while Wesley is on track for unrestricted free agency.
Source: Hoops Rumors
