Grant scores 23 points to help Trail Blazers rout Grizzlies, 135-115

PORTLAND (AP) — Jerami Grant had 23 points and the Portland Trail Blazers snapped a six-game losing streak, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 135-115 on Friday night to open a two-game set.

The teams will meet again Saturday night in Portland.

Jrue Holiday had 20 points and seven assists for the Blazers, who led by 30 points after pulling away in the second half. Eight Portland players finished in double figures.

Cam Spencer had 18 points off the bench for the Grizzlies, who had won their previous two straight after a six-game losing streak. GG Jackson II added 15.

Ja Morant missed his eighth straight game with left elbow injury. Morant remained with the team at Thursday's trade deadline despite speculation the Grizzlies might move him.

The Grizzlies were adjusting to a sweeping trade that sent Jaren Jackson Jr., Jock Landale, John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr. to Utah in exchange for Georges Niang, Kyle Anderson, Walter Clayton Jr. and Taylor Hendricks.

Anderson was out Friday because of illness but Clayton and Hendricks came in off the bench for Memphis.

The Grizzlies led 15 points in the opening half but Portland tied the game at 51 on Jerami Grant's dunk. Grant followed with a layup that gave the Blazers the lead and they were ahead 68-64 at the half.

The Blazers said at halftime that Shaedon Sharpe would not return with a sore left calf.

Portland extended the lead to 94-77 on Grant's 3-pointer in the third quarter and Memphis never challenged.

Scotty Pippen Jr. started in his first game of the season for Memphis after undergoing surgery on his left big toe. He had 13 points and six assists in 22 minutes.

Portland guard Scoot Henderson also played in his first game of the season after recovering from an offseason left hamstring injury. He had 11 points, nine assists and five rebounds in just over 21 minutes.

Donovan Clingan finished with 13 points and 17 rebounds for Portland.

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Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) dribbles past Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara (33) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Blake Wesley, right, gives autographs during warmups before an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Javon Small, center, shoots a 3-point basket past Portland Trail Blazers guard Vit Krejci, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, right, looks for an open teammate during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward (23) and Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) compete for the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Scoot Henderson made his season debut for the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night after recovering from a torn left hamstring.

Henderson was injured during an offseason workout in September. He was originally expected to miss four to six weeks, but he didn't start non-contact basketball activities until December. He began full practice two weeks ago.

Henderson entered the game against the Memphis Grizzlies with 7:39 left in the first quarter to cheers from the home crowd. Blazers coach Tiago Splitter said before the game his minutes would be limited.

Henderson played 21 minutes, finishing with 11 points and nine assists in a 135-115 Portland victory.

“He was a big part of the vision that we had during the summer, and no we kind of get him super late in the season. He's going to have a couple of games her to be his preseason,” Splitter said before the game.

Henderson, in his third NBA season, hadn't played in a game since March 27, 2025. He averaged 13.3 points, 5.2 assists and 3.1 rebounds over his first two seasons.

Henderson was expected to take on a greater role with Portland this season following the departure of Anfernee Simons, who was traded to the Boston Celtics in July in exchange for Jrue Holiday.

The Blazers could use Henderson. The team had lost six straight going into the game against the game against the Grizzlies.

“I'm just trying to get back out there so we can get some more wins going into the second half of the season,” Henderson told reporters earlier this week.

Portland has been short-handed at guard. Holiday returned last month after missing 27 games with a right calf injury and Blake Wesley also recently returned after fracturing a bone in his right foot.

Henderson said that he realizes it will take time to integrate with the team after missing so much time.

“I try not to think about that too much, but that is something that's going to be a challenge, I think,” he said. “But I'm the player that kind of just can be thrown in any type of the fire and understand the role, and understand what I bring to the table, and have confidence in that role. So my teammates believe in me and coming back, and that's all I can ask for.”

Henderson spent two years with the G League Ignite before he was selected with the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft.

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Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, right, looks for an open teammate during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Molly J. Smith)

FILE - Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson, left, drives to the basket past Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Portland, Ore., March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer, File)