Trail Blazers Appoint Former Player as Interim Coach Following Billups Arrest

In a surprising turn of events for the Portland Trail Blazers, head coach Chauncey Billups has been placed on leave following his arrest by the FBI on charges related to illegal poker games allegedly influenced by organized crime. This incident took place on Thursday, leading to immediate action from the National Basketball Association (NBA).

Appointment of Interim Coach

In light of Billups’s leave, the Trail Blazers have appointed assistant coach Tiago Splitter as the interim coach for the remainder of the 2025–26 season. This decision was reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. Splitter, a former NBA player, is set to begin his coaching tenure with the team after just one season as an assistant.

Season Context and Initial Performance

The Trail Blazers kicked off their season on Wednesday night, facing off against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Unfortunately, the game ended in a 118–114 loss for the Portland team, marking a challenging start to the season.

Future Updates

This story is ongoing, and updates regarding the situation with Billups and his legal challenges are expected. Fans are encouraged to stay tuned for more information.