

Thu Oct 23 5:13pm ET
Field Level Media
Tiago Splitter was named interim coach of the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday after the arrest of Chauncey Billups.
Splitter, 40, will make his debut in the role on Friday night when the Trail Blazers host the Golden State Warriors.
Billups was arrested Thursday morning as part of a federal investigation into illegal betting activities.
"We are aware of the allegations involving head coach Chauncey Billups, and the Trail Blazers are fully cooperating with the investigation," the team said in a statement. "Billups has been placed on immediate leave, and Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching duties in the interim."
Splitter is the first Brazilian-born head coach in NBA history. This is his first season with the Trail Blazers.
He previously had NBA assistant coaching stints with the Brooklyn Nets (2019-23) and Houston Rockets (2023-24). Splitter served as the head coach of Paris Basketball last season.
Splitter played seven seasons in the NBA from 2010-17 and averaged 7.9 points and 5.0 in 355 games (153 starts).
Splitter spent his first five NBA seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and was part of their 2013-14 NBA championship team. He established career highs of 10.3 points and 6.4 rebounds during the 2012-13 campaign.
Splitter played one season apiece with the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers. He also played for Brazil in the 2012 Olympics.
Brazilian Leandro Barbosa, a former longtime NBA player, is an assistant coach for the Sacramento Kings.
Portland led most of the way in its season opener on Wednesday before falling 118-114 to the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves. The setback left Billups with a 117-212 record in four seasons plus one game as the Trail Blazers' coach.
The Trail Blazers reportedly canceled their scheduled Thursday media availability session.
Denver's C Nikola Jokic recorded a triple-double, finishing with 21 points, 10 assists and 13 rebounds in a 131-137 loss to Golden State on Thursday, Oct. 23.
Warriors' G Stephen Curry scored 42 points on 14-of-25 shooting in a 137-131 win over the Nuggets on Thursday, Oct. 23.
Nuggets' F Aaron Gordon scored 50 points on 17-of-21 shooting in a 131-137 loss to Golden State on Thursday, Oct. 23.
Oklahoma City's G Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 55 points on 15-of-31 shooting in a 141-135 win over Indiana on Thursday, Oct. 23.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. (ankle) will miss the team's upcoming road games in Toronto and Cleveland. The 25-year-old got off to a great start in Wednesday's opener versus the Washington Wizards. However, he tweaked his ankle near the end of the first quarter, finishing the night with 10 points in nine minutes of work. After an MRI, Porter was diagnosed with a sprain, so it appears there's a chance he could be back on the floor for Tuesday's meeting with the New York Knicks. Of course, the team will likely play it safe by not rushing him back. Ryan Rollins, who had nine points, four rebounds, three assists, and three steals in 29 minutes on Wednesday, may be the favorite to enter the starting lineup. Still, it will be Giannis Antetokounmpo (toe) doing most of the heavy lifting offensively, assuming he suits up.
New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (ankle) won't play on Friday night against the Boston Celtics. It's unknown how much longer the 27-year-old will be out of the equation. However, he'll now miss his second-straight game on Friday night. Ariel Hukporti got the start for Robinson in the win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. He would go on to finish that one with two points, five rebounds, two assists, and one block in 18 minutes of action. The 2024 No. 58 overall pick is currently the favorite to enter the starting lineup on Friday night, although that could change depending on the statuses of Josh Hart (back) and Karl-Anthony Towns (quadriceps). Still, even if Hukporti gets another run with the starters, he will be tough to trust for streaming purposes.
New York Knicks forward/center Karl-Anthony Towns (quadriceps) is questionable for Friday's game versus the visiting Celtics. KAT bounced between injury designations before finally getting the green light to suit up for the win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on opening night. For a guy dealing with a quad strain, he played well enough, finishing the evening with a 19-point, 11-rebound double-double. Based on how things turned out on Wednesday, fantasy managers shouldn't put too much stock into what is on the injury report. With that said, if Towns can't get on the floor, Guerschon Yabusele, who went scoreless in 12 minutes against the Cavs, could enter the starting lineup. Of course, that could change if Josh Hart (back), who is questionable, is available.
New York Knicks forward Josh Hart (back) is questionable for Friday's meeting with the Boston Celtics. The lumbar spasms aren't anything new, although it was enough to keep him off the floor for the opener versus the Cavs on Wednesday night. New York could certainly use him, with the Knicks also listing OG Anunoby (ankle), Mitchell Robinson (ankle), and Karl-Anthony Towns (quadriceps) on the injury report. Robinson has already been ruled out. However, if Hart is available, he may enter the starting lineup if KAT or Anunoby can't suit up. He was already in line to see his share of minutes from off the bench, but his fantasy potential will increase even more if he ends up rolling with the first-five.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (knee) will not play Thursday when the Thunder visit the Pacers. He was originally listed as questionable due to a left knee sprain, but he was downgraded to out on Thursday afternoon. The Thunder started the season with a double-overtime thriller against the Rockets, and Wallace played 42 minutes in that game with 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four steals, and three three-pointers. Wallace's absence on Thursday will leave lots of minutes and usage opportunities for Ajay Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins since Alex Caruso (concussion), Isaiah Joe (knee), and Jalen Williams (wrist) will all be sidelined as well.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward Luguentz Dort (ankle) was originally questionable for Thursday night's matchup in Indiana against the Pacers, but he was upgraded to available on Thursday afternoon. Dort typically plays plenty of minutes as a defensive specialist, but he may have to carry more of the offense with Cason Wallace (knee) joining Isaiah Joe (knee) and Alex Caruso (concussion) on the sidelines. Dort had six points, six boards, and five assists in 45 minutes on Tuesday and will likely have a heavy workload on Thursday as well if his sprained ankle allows
Cleveland Cavaliers forward De'Andre Hunter (knee) was one of several important players who missed the team's opener on Wednesday, but he was able to go through a lengthy shooting workout after practice and seemed to be moving well. He was expected to start early in the season with Max Strus (foot) sidelined, but he'll need to get past his own injury first. The Cavaliers lost by eight to the Knicks on Wednesday and will face the Nets on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Hutner's status will be an important one to watch since he will have solid value if available, while Jaylon Tyson and Dean Wade could have bargain potential if they fill in for Hunter again on Friday.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Al Horford will come off the bench for the second game in a row to open the season with his new squad. Horford will be limited to about 20 minutes, according to Steve Kerr, as the Warriors try to manage the veteran's workload. Kerr said before the season that the lineup with Hoford, Draymond Green, and Jonathan Kuminga will be fluid, but for Thursday's matchup with the Nuggets, Horford will again come off the bench. In his Warriors debut, Horford had five points, five rebounds, and one assist over 20 minutes. Kerr also said that the plan is for Horford to take Friday's second half of the team's back-to-back off against the Blazers. That could create some Friday night value for Quinten Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis, who will remain in limited roles when Horford and Green are available.
Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups have been arrestedas part of a pair of investigations related to illegal gambling, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Rozier was arrested Thursday morning at a hotel in Orlando, Florida. Billups' arrest was made in Oregon and is part of a separate but related illegal gambling case linked to an illegal poker operation tied to the mafia. The Department of Justice will have a press conference at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday to provide further information about the arrests. Rozier didn't play in Miami's season opener on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic, while Billups' Trail Blazers suffered a 118-114 defeat on home court against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Golden State Warriors guard/forward Moses Moody (calf) will not play in Thursday's meeting with the Denver Nuggets. A calf problem will keep Moody sidelined for a second straight game. However, he could be back in action as soon as Friday. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has said he's "hopeful" Moody can play on Friday night as the team completes a back-to-back set against the Portland Trail Blazers. With Moody unavailable, Will Richard made his NBA debut on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, posting five points in 14 minutes. He could maintain a rotational role on Thursday.
Golden State Warriors forward/center Al Horford will play in Thursday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets and rest on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers, Anthony Slater of ESPN reports. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has announced that the Warriors will not use Horford in both games during back-to-backs this season, and Friday will be his first rest day. In Thursday's game, Horford is expected to play a crucial role as the Warriors try to contain Nikola Jokic. Quinten Post, who played only nine minutes in Tuesday's season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, will likely take on a larger role on Friday in Horford's absence.
Indiana Pacers point guard T.J. McConnell (hamstring) will sit out Thursday's season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The veteran playmaker sustained a left hamstring strain a couple of weeks ago in a preseason game and likely won't be back in action until November. On Oct. 9, the team announced that McConnell is expected to miss at least a month. There's no Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles) in the Pacers backcourt this season, and McConnell's absence puts even more pressure on the rest of the guards to perform well. Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin appear poised for big campaigns, while Ben Sheppard could also feature more in the rotation until McConnell returns.
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (knee) is considered questionable for Thursday's clash against the Indiana Pacers. The 21-year-old had an impressive showing in Tuesday's season-opening victory against the Houston Rockets, but he's now dealing with a knee sprain. On Tuesday, Wallace racked up 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. If Wallace can't play on Thursday, Aaron Wiggins could enter the starting lineup and have a significant role. In the win against Houston, Wiggins contributed 10 points in 21 minutes. Ajay Mitchell, who provided 16 points in 15 minutes on Tuesday, may also benefit from Wallace's absence.
Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Isaiah Joe (knee) is not ready to join the action on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers. The 26-year-old sniper is nursing a knee contusion at the start of the season. Jalen Williams (wrist) and Alex Caruso (concussion) also won't play, and Aaron Wiggins (knee) is questionable for Thursday's matchup, along with Luguentz Dort (ankle). As a result, the Thunder rotation could look very different. Players like Aaron Wiggins and Ajay Mitchell will be expected to step up and contribute more than usual.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams (wrist) will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Indiana Pacers. Williams isn't ready to play at the start of the campaign due to offseason wrist surgery. Cason Wallace (knee) should continue to start during Williams' absence, although he's dealing with a knee sprain and is questionable for Thursday's matchup. In Tuesday's season opener against the Houston Rockets, Wallace totaled 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and four steals. Due to the Thunder's injury situation, Aaron Wiggins is looking at a larger workload against Indiana, and Ajay Mitchell may also see increased usage.
Minnesota's G Anthony Edwards scored 41 points on 14-of-28 shooting in a 118-114 win over Portland on Wednesday, Oct. 22.
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