Chauncey Billups Arrested in Poker Scheme; Blazers Move Forward

UPDATE: The Portland Trail Blazers are reeling from the shocking arrest of head coach Chauncey Billups in a major alleged poker scheme. Billups was taken into custody early Thursday morning at his home in Lake Oswego, Oregon, as federal authorities announced a crackdown on illicit gambling activities involving Billups and Miami Heat player Terry Rozier among others.

The arrest comes just hours after the Blazers suffered a disappointing loss in their season opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Billups faces serious charges related to a conspiracy that reportedly defrauded victims of at least $7 million through high-stakes card games. He was one of 31 individuals apprehended in connection with this investigation, which federal officials claim includes members of three Mafia families.

As the team prepared to face the Golden State Warriors on Friday night, the atmosphere in the locker room was described as somber. Few players felt comfortable discussing the situation. Forward Deni Avdija expressed the team’s concern, stating, “It’s not an easy situation. We’re thinking about him and his family. We really love Chauncey and what he’s done for this organization.”

In the wake of Billups’ arrest, the NBA has placed both him and Rozier on administrative leave. The Blazers quickly appointed assistant coach Tiago Splitter as interim head coach. Splitter, who was part of Billups’ staff since June, addressed the media, acknowledging the team’s emotional struggle but emphasizing the need to focus on their upcoming games. “Not great, not great. But like I said, we’ve got to move forward,” he said. “We have a great opportunity in front of us to have a good season with this team.”

Billups, who signed a multiyear contract extension in April, had been looking to build on a roster filled with talented young players, including Scoot Henderson and Damian Lillard. The latter, although sidelined with an Achilles injury, received a warm welcome during the season opener, highlighting the positive energy surrounding the team prior to this incident.

Fan Mitch Weaver, present at Friday’s game, expressed disbelief over the events, saying, “I was stunned. Shocked. I think everybody was. We had Dame back. Everything was looking up.” The arrest has cast a shadow over the Blazers’ prospects for the season, as they navigate this unexpected turmoil.

The Blazers, under new ownership led by Tom Dundon, are now faced with a challenging season ahead, compounded by the uncertainty surrounding their head coach. As the team moves forward, the focus will be on stabilizing their play and supporting one another through this crisis.

Next Steps: The Blazers are set to play the Warriors tonight at 7:00 PM local time. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the interim coaching staff adapts to the sudden changes. Further updates regarding Billups’ legal situation are anticipated as the investigation unfolds.