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Scoot Henderson delivered a 31-point performance as the Portland Trail Blazers defeated the San Antonio Spurs 106-103 in Game 2 of their Western Conference playoff series on Tuesday at Frost Bank Center.
Henderson emphasized a collective approach after the win, pointing to Portland’s defensive and transition execution. “I think just being aggressive on both sides of the ball as a team, as a unit,” he said. “I think that was our goal to be aggressive. Hit everybody that comes through the paint. Box out and play fast.”
The Blazers guard credited that physical identity for creating offensive flow. “I think that was all of our success and that kind of opened the floor for all of us,” he added.
Henderson also focused on pace and decision-making after adjusting from Game 1. “Same mindset every game. Go out and kill whoever’s in my way,” he said. “But I think the adjustment that I made was to just play faster and shoot the open ones.”
He explained how that approach helped teammates operate more freely. “And I think that kind of opens up the floor for everybody else, opens the floor for Deni to attack,” Henderson said. “They’re sending two at him sometimes. So just making the game easier for everybody else.”
The third-year guard also addressed his personal journey after dealing with a significant hamstring injury earlier in the season. “It was a grade three, grade four-ish,” he said. “It wasn’t easy to get over that hump. But like I said, I remained faithful.”
He expanded on the mental side of recovery and consistency through setbacks. “I just got to give it up to the man above,” Henderson said. “I work really hard, man, and for it to show on a big stage like this for one day, it just feels great.”
Henderson also referenced the Spurs’ in-game loss of Victor Wembanyama to a concussion, which shifted the matchup dynamics. “First of all, I pray for him. Hope he’s good,” he said. “We want to beat them fully healthy.”
From a tactical standpoint, Portland’s offensive approach centered on attacking downhill regardless of personnel changes. “Our mission was to just attack downhill,” Henderson said. “Keep attacking and keep opening shots up for everybody else.”
The guard described his mindset entering the night as immediate and instinctive. “When I woke up,” he said when asked when he felt locked in. “I woke up, brushed my teeth… I say right after I brush my teeth.”
Henderson closed by reflecting on Portland’s position in the series as it shifts to Moda Center. “We’re not celebrating super hard,” he said. “We know we have three more games to win.”
Game 3 is set for Friday in Portland, where the series is tied 1-1.
