Against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday night, guard Scoot Henderson of the Portland Trail Blazers made a perfect shot.
He hit a floater and a short jumper, had a put-back dunk, drove for a dunk, and made a lot of three-pointers. Step-back threes, contested threes, wide-open threes, and poorly thought-out threes. The variety made no difference. Nearly all of them entered.
Henderson finished the game with a career-high 39 points on 13 of 18 shots and 8 of 10 three-pointers.
However, considering that the Blazers lost 132-114 at the Moda Center, Henderson found it difficult to enjoy the radiance of his fireworks display.
Henderson stated, “I always think about how I could have done better and how we could have done better as a team.”
The squad has given up too many transition baskets, the second-year point guard bemoaned. He also brought up an instance late in the game when he missed a play and could have been more offensively aware.
Despite his humility, Henderson’s performance was important. He showed promise once more. But he has struggled with consistency. Did Henderson have a typical hot night on Tuesday, or did it portend more significant evenings to come?
Henderson played two excellent games in a row on December 26 against Utah and December 28 against Dallas. He shot 51.9% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range, averaging 18.5 points and 8.0 assists.
In the second half of an NBA basketball game on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, in Portland, Oregon, Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (8) defends while Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (00) brings the ball up court. (Photo courtesy of Amanda Loman)AP
But over the following seven games, Henderson averaged 9.0 points, 4.7 assists, and 3.0 turnovers while shooting 38.8% from the field and 22.7% from deep range.
Henderson, the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, was shooting 29.9% from three-point range and 39.9% for the season as of Tuesday.
Henderson has fallen short of expectations. However, Billups claims that he has managed his difficulties effectively. Henderson doesn’t focus on subpar work. Rather, he continues his efforts to improve.
Billups remarked, “I’m just proud of him and the work he’s doing.”
His teammates were proud, too.
Billups stated, “Everyone in the gym is just so happy for him.” We can see how much effort he puts out.
Henderson now needs to maintain this momentum, according to Blazers forward Toumani Camara, who scored a career-high 23 points in the defeat.
“I wasn’t impressed because I know what he can do,” Camara stated. It was beneficial for him to demonstrate his abilities to the world.
Henderson aspires to be the best, but he also maintains perspective on his career.
Having children look up to me and represent the name on the back of my shirt is a blessing, he said.
Then Tuesday evening came.
On January 14, 2025, in Portland, Oregon, Scoot Henderson #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts following his three-point basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half at Moda Center. (Steph Chambers/Getty Images photo)Getty Pictures
Henderson’s shooting style was unprecedented by those there. But during workouts, Billups had witnessed Henderson go on explosive shooting runs.
Billups remarked, “I’ve seen him get on burners like that before.” He got on it tonight and stayed on it the whole time, which made me very delighted.
Henderson had one of his better practices on Monday, Billups continued.
“Seeing him have that carryover out there in the game was really good,” he said.
Henderson was unable to describe Tuesday night’s events.
He remarked, “I think I was just flowing.” doing what I was at ease with. Not giving it any thought
In the first half, he made 6 of 7 three-point attempts and scored 25 points on 9 of 10 shots.
Henderson claimed that he was unaware of his true heat until a three-point try with 5:47 left in the second quarter struck the front of the rim, rebounded straight up, and then rattled in.
At that moment, I thought, “Oh my goodness,” he smiled. I turned around and thought, “Well, is that the time?” Today is crucial.
Henderson’s previous best three-point shooting performance occurred during a defeat to Houston last season, when he made 6 of 7 and scored 30 points. Henderson hit 14 of 17 from three-point range in that game and Tuesday’s, scoring 69 points and suffering two losses.
Henderson is more interested in winning than in scoring a lot of points. He is working to improve his consistency, which might affect his ability to win.
“You have to be consistent,” he stated. One of the main things I’ve been telling myself is to just remain consistent. I do whatever it is. away from the court. on the court. simply keeping an eye on it. Don’t think; just be consistent.
— Aaron Fentress |[email protected]|@AaronJFentress(Twitter),@AaronJFentress(Instagram),@AaronFentress(Facebook)
