Overview
- Federal prosecutors charged Billups with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering in a case alleging rigged high‑stakes poker games dating to at least 2019 that used devices such as manipulated shufflers and card‑reading technology.
- The NBA said it is reviewing the indictments, placed Billups on immediate leave, and took the same action with Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier in a separate gambling case.
- Portland canceled team activities and appointed assistant Tiago Splitter as interim head coach, with lead assistant Nate Bjorkgren considered but remaining in his current role.
- Splitter, 40, is a former Spurs champion who has NBA assistant stops in Brooklyn and Houston and recently led Paris Basketball to a French title and EuroLeague Playoffs.
- In his first public comments, Splitter said he was ready for the role and could not contact Billups, then guided Portland to a 139–119 win over Golden State in his debut.