Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Chris Haynes: Sources: Inside a somber meeting the Portland Trail Blazers had that left players mute. How the news of Chauncey Billups’ alleged involvement in an illegal gambling ring was delivered to the team. Chris Haynes: Let's go back to yesterday morning. Sources informed me that Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin gathered his team together along with the coaching staff to inform them of the news. Sources told me that players were mute. They were shocked, and no one had a question. It was that quiet. Joe Cronin then went on to say that no one should be trying to contact Chauncey Billups while this investigation is ongoing. From there sources related to me that Tiago Splitter took the floor and said the goals remain the same and he also added that he's in charge, and he wants to keep everything afloat until they get their coach back. And last thing of note I want to add is that the Trail Blazers actually offered the interim job to assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren, but him and Chauncey Billups are extremely tight, and he declined the appointment.
Sources: Inside a somber meeting the Portland Trail Blazers had that left players mute. How the news of Chauncey Billups’ alleged involvement in an illegal gambling ring was delivered to the team. pic.twitter.com/ciotndisyd
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 25, 2025
Splitter and Blazers general manager Joe Cronin addressed the team Thursday afternoon, hours after Billups' stunning arrest. Neither had slept more than a few hours when news of the arrest started spreading. Splitter told ESPN that he went to bed around 2 a.m. after watching tape of the Blazers' season-opening loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves and was woken up shortly after 6 a.m. when the news started to circulate. A few hours later, Splitter was in Cronin's office, being asked to take over as interim coach. Lead assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren had previous head coaching experience, but team sources said Bjorkgren had told Cronin that Splitter was the best choice to take over, and Bjorkgren felt he could best help the team in his current role, running the defense.
Shams Charania: Portland Trail Blazers assistant Tiago Splitter will assume head coaching position in the interim in place of Chauncey Billups, sources tell ESPN. Nate Bjorkgren was strongly considered by Portland as well but Bjorken decided it was best for franchise to maintain his current role.
Marc Stein: The Trail Blazers must name an acting head to stand in while Chauncey Billups remains on leave. New assistant coach Tiago Splitter joined the Blazers after a head coach stint in Europe and Nate Bjorkgren served as acting head coach last December when Billups missed two games.
Michael Scotto: The Portland Trail Blazers are re-signing assistant coaches Nate Bjorkgren and Ronnie Burrell, as well as analytics coach Jacob Mooallem on head coach Chauncey Billups’ staff, league sources told @hoopshype . Agent Andy Miller of @KlutchSports confirmed the deals.
Advertisement
Doug Smith: League sources say Raptors have been quietly interviewing possible assistant coaches this week, expecting a mass exodus from the staff Nate Bjorkgren likely gone, Adrian Griffin up for other jobs, futures of Trevor Gleeson, Earl Watson TBD
Advertisement
Canada has officially punched its ticket to next year's FIBA World Cup, defeating Venezuela 94-56 in Thursday's Americas qualifiers matchup.
Toronto Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren filled in for national team head coach Nick Nurse. The squad was also without its usual NBA talent. Canada will make back-to-back World Cup appearances for the first time since 1998 and 2002. The country hasn't competed at the Olympics in over two decades.
Michael Grange: Nate Bjorkgren and Nate Mitchell are back on the Raptors bench after coaching Canada at FIBA World Cup qualifying in Dominican Republic this past week. Had a 6 am flight out of Santa Domingo, connected through Newark and made it to Scotiabank Arena for pre-game warm-ups.
