Blazers’ Damian Lillard responds to Chauncey Billups arrest for 1st time

For the first time since former Portland Blazers coach Chauncey Billups’ arrest in connection with poker gambling, Damian Lillard addressed the scandal. In his first press conference since media day in October, Lillard revealed his initial reaction to the news.

For Lillard, Billups’ arrest came as a shock, he said, per KOIN News’ Brenna Greene.

“It was tough for me. I didn’t even think about it from a basketball standpoint,” Lillard said. “I’ve known Chauncey for years and years, even before he became my coach. A lot of respect for him. Just to see him have to have that experience and all of the things that were up in the air, and being said, and just not knowing anything about it, I just felt bad for him having to experience that, and that it had come to that. But that was my feelings on it.”

Lillard also admitted that playing for Billups factored heavily into his decision to return to the Blazers.

“I came back here. A big part of it was to play for him,” Lillard added. “My respect for him as a coach. My thoughts and my feelings went directly toward his family. Just for the experience that I knew was to come.”

More from Lillard on Chauncey Billups:

"It was tough for me. I didn't even think about it from a basketball standpoint… I just felt bad for him having to experience that and that it had come to that." https://t.co/zswSlOm7yl pic.twitter.com/yFXWWoioaO

— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) April 30, 2026

Chauncey Billups plead not guilty to charges stemming from gambling scandal.

Jrue Holiday warns NBA about Blazers’ Scoot Henderson

Blazers guard Jrue Holiday addressed Scoot Henderson’s growth this season, warning the rest of the NBA that the young guard is on the cusp of a breakout season. Holiday discussed Henderson’s promising future after the Blazers were eliminated, 4-1, to the Spurs in their best-of-7, first-round series, per Blazers insider Sean Highkin.

“I think when Scoot got comfortable, you saw what he’s capable of, and that’s the tip of the iceberg. Him getting a full season of being healthy … I think he has a bright future,” Holiday said.

With Damian Lillard’s return slated for the 2025-26 season, Henderson and the Blazers will look to build off their first-round exit.

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