Scoot Henderson, Blazers blow out struggling Pacers

Rookie guard scores 28 points as Portland cruises past Indiana for 131-111 win.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Indiana Pacers 131-111 on Sunday night, led by a dominant performance from rookie guard Scoot Henderson. Henderson scored 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-7 from 3-point range, and added 6 assists without a turnover. The Pacers have now lost 9 straight games and sit in last place in the Eastern Conference, while the Blazers improved to 31-34 and hold the final play-in spot in the West.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the struggles of the Pacers, who have been one of the NBA's worst teams since the All-Star break, as well as the emergence of Scoot Henderson as a potential star for the Blazers. Henderson, the 3rd overall pick in the 2023 draft, has dealt with injuries but showed his immense potential against the Pacers' porous defense.

The details

The Pacers kept the game close in the first quarter, tying it at 30 after a 16-5 run. But the Blazers took control in the second quarter, going on a 14-0 run to build a big lead. Henderson was dominant, scoring 28 points on efficient shooting and making plays in transition. The Pacers' veteran point guard T.J. McConnell left the game in the fourth quarter with a sore right hamstring.

  • The game was played on Sunday, March 9, 2026.

The players

Scoot Henderson

A rookie guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, selected 3rd overall in the 2023 NBA Draft.

T.J. McConnell

A veteran point guard for the Indiana Pacers who left the game with a sore right hamstring.

Jrue Holiday

A guard for the Portland Trail Blazers who scored 21 points in the game.

Jerami Grant

A forward for the Portland Trail Blazers who scored 21 points in the game.

Pascal Siakam

A forward for the Indiana Pacers who led the team with 22 points.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Pacers will look to end their 9-game losing streak when they visit the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday, March 11, 2026.

The takeaway

This game highlighted the stark contrast between the struggling Pacers, who have fallen to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, and the Trail Blazers, who are fighting for a play-in spot in the West behind the emergence of rookie Scoot Henderson as a potential star.