Overview
- Billups was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering tied to allegedly rigged high-stakes poker games that used technology to read or manipulate cards.
- The NBA said it is reviewing the indictments and placed both Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier on immediate leave while cooperating with authorities.
- Portland elevated assistant Tiago Splitter to interim head coach, while lead assistant Nate Bjorkgren was considered but remained in his current role.
- Splitter made his NBA head-coaching debut Friday and the Blazers beat the Warriors 139-119, with the coach saying the mood was “not great” but that “we have a job to do” and noting he cannot contact Billups.
- Billups appeared in federal court in Portland on Thursday as proceedings continue, and the Trail Blazers canceled routine media availability as the organization adjusts to the abrupt transition.