Overview
- Portland listed Scoot Henderson as questionable with left ankle soreness on its injury report while reserve center Branden Carlson is also questionable in concussion protocol and Shaedon Sharpe remains out after right meniscus surgery.
- Three Blazers two-way players — Jayson Kent, John Tonje and Chris Youngblood — are unavailable because they are assigned to the G League, further limiting Portland’s guard depth.
- The 2-0 Trail Blazers travel to face the 3-0 Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles on Tuesday, and Henderson’s final availability will be decided before tipoff.
- Henderson has averaged 9.5 points, 1.5 assists and 1.5 rebounds through two games and shot poorly in the recent win at Sacramento, a performance that increases pressure on him to show progress this season.
- Portland’s decision to let a rookie-scale extension lapse earlier this month makes Henderson’s health and minutes more consequential for his future while Walker Kessler’s availability gives the Lakers added frontcourt depth.