CHAUNCEY BILLUPS

The last 12 months have been a transformative year in the NBA when it comes to diversity among coaches.

CJ McCollum received a 90-second standing ovation in his first visit to Portland since a February trade to New Orleans, then scored 25 points to lead the Pelicans over the Trail Blazers 117-107.

Cole Anthony had 23 points and the Orlando Magic downed the Trail Blazers 113-95, hours after a trade ended ended guard CJ McCollum’s nearly nine-year tenure in Portland.

Trail Blazers Thunder Basketball Portland Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum, right, drives against Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kenrich Williams in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) (Nate Billings)NEW ORLEANS — (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans acquired guard CJ McCollum from the Portland Trail Blazers as part of a seven-player trade on Tuesday that comes as the Pelicans make a push to qualify for the NBA postseason. The trade marks the end of an era in Portland, where McCollum has been paired with Damian Lillard in the backcourt since 2013. This marks the second multiple-player trade the Blazers have made in advance of Thursday’s deadline. Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said Tuesday night that he could not comment on the specifics of the trade because it had not been formally approved.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard said fellow Olympic teammate Jrue Holiday helped convince him to have surgery on his abdomen.

Lakers Nuggets Basketball Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James gestures to teammates in the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Denver Nuggets Saturday Jan. 15, 2022, in Denver. Really, though, the mantra for any team this season should be just get in — any way possible. That’s a major reason why the impending trade deadline on Feb. 10 could be quite a dilemma for general managers. So while occasionally glancing at the NBA standings — like Nuggets coach Michael Malone will do — don’t overthink it. Guard Russell Westbrook was asked about Johnson's assessment in what's been a Lakers season littered with injuries, including Davis being sidelined since mid-December due to a sprained ligament in his left knee.

The basic mantra for all NBA teams this season should be just get into the playoffs.

CJ McCollum scored 16 points in his first game back from a collapsed lung, Jusuf Nurkic added 21 points and a season-best 22 rebounds, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat the Orlando Magic 98-88.

Another NBA head coach has entered the league's health and safety protocols.

Anfernee Simons had a career-high 43 points and the Portland Trail Blazers overcame an NBA season-best 56 points by Atlanta’s Trae Young, snapping a four-game losing streak in a 136-131 win over the Hawks.

LeBron James scored a season-high 43 points and extended his streak of 30-point games to seven in the Los Angeles Lakers' 139-106 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night.

The NBA postponed Golden State's game with Denver on Thursday, the same day that Philadelphia’s Doc Rivers and Denver’s Michael Malone entered the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

Kyrie Irving is a step closer to making his season debut.

NBA players who test positive for COVID-19 now have a quicker path to return after the league completed a significant update to its health and safety protocols.

Deandre Ayton had 28 points and 13 rebounds in his return from a non-COVID-19 illness, and the Phoenix Suns held off the Portland Trail Blazers 111-107 in overtime.

Celtics Trail Blazers Basketball Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, right, talks to guard Dennis Smith Jr., left, during the first half of the team's NBA basketball game against the Boston Celtics in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Steve Dipaola) (Steve Dipaola)With a spate of injuries, a series of disheartening losses, trade rumors galore and front office upheaval, the Portland Trail Blazers are having a stormy start to the season. But rookie coach Chauncey Billups is nonetheless optimistic about the future and fostering a hard-working — and winning — culture. While Lillard has watched from the bench in street clothes, rumors have swirled about his future with the team. Cronin replaced former Blazers president and general manager Neil Olshey, who was dismissed last week for violating the team's code of conduct.

The Portland Trail Blazers are having a stormy season with a string of losses, a front office shakeup and trade rumors that continue to swirl.

Trail Blazers Warriors Basketball Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry gestures after shooting a 3-point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) (Jeff Chiu)SAN FRANCISCO — (AP) — Stephen Curry scored 22 points and moved within nine 3-pointers of tying Ray Allen's career record, and the Golden State Warriors held off the injury-depleted Portland Trail Blazers 104-94 Wednesday night. Curry went 4 of 12 in the first half as Golden State held a 47-45 edge at the break. Norman Powell scored 26 points but went 1 of 7 from deep, and the Blazers were just 8 for 30 from long range. ... Golden State has held opponents to below 50% shooting in 27 straight games dating to last season.

Stephen Curry scored 22 points and moved within nine 3-pointers of tying Ray Allen’s career record, and the Golden State Warriors held off the injury-depleted Portland Trail Blazers 104-94.

PORTLAND, Ore. — (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers fired Neil Olshey, the team's president of basketball operations and general manager, on Friday after an investigation into workplace conduct. The Blazers had hired an outside firm last month to investigate workplace environment concerns stemming from allegations of misconduct involving Olshey. Olshey came to the Blazers after nine years with the Los Angeles Clippers, which included stints as director of player development, assistant coach, director of player personnel and assistant GM. Trail Blazers president and CEO Chris McGowan stepped down last month after nine years in the position. Under Olshey, the Trail Blazers have made the NBA playoffs for the past eight seasons, the longest active streak in the league.

The Portland Trail Blazers have fired Neil Olshey, the team’s president of basketball operations and general manager, after an investigation into workplace conduct.

The pandemic and vaccination rates were the talk of the NBA on media day Monday.

Becky Hammon can’t wait for the time when it’s normal for women to interview for head coaching positions in the NBA and their gender isn’t the story.

Damian Lillard says he has not requested a trade but wants the Portland Trail Blazers to be more urgent in their pursuit of a championship.

Jamahl Mosley has agreed to become the new coach of the Orlando Magic.

Cryptocurrency platform StormX will have a brand presence on the Blazers' game and practice jerseys and in-arena signage.

The Portland Trailblazers and Dallas Mavericks have hired new coaches with stellar records as players — but questionable off-court problems. The moves have roiled the typically progressive NBA.

Trail Blazers Billups Basketball Chauncey Billups talks to media after being announced as the head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers at the team's practice facility in Tualatin, Ore., Tuesday, June 29, 2021. He addressed that chapter Tuesday, though when he was asked to elaborate on some of those comments the Trail Blazers refused to let him answer. Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star over a 17-year playing career, has never been a head coach. Olshey, who as former GM of the Clippers claimed Billups off waivers in 2011, addressed Billups’ lack of coaching credentials. He believes Billups has potential, plus thinks he will mesh well with Blazers guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.

The Portland Trail Blazers went into damage-control mode while introducing Chauncey Billups as their new head coach.

PORTLAND, Ore. — (AP) — The Portland Trail Blazers have hired Chauncey Billups as their new coach. Billups, a five-time NBA All-Star over a 17-year playing career, has never been a head coach. “Portland is a special place and a unique franchise," Billups said in a statement Sunday night. The Blazers fired Terry Stotts shortly after the team was eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the opening round of the playoffs. Stotts coached the Blazers for nine seasons, taking them to the playoffs in the last eight.

The Athletic reported that Billups had accepted the job but contract negotiations were ongoing. Billups, the 2004 NBA Finals MVP and a five-time NBA All-Star over a 17-year playing career, has never been a head coach. The Blazers were also interested in Brooklyn Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni, as well as San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon. Los Angeles Lakers assistant Jason Kidd withdrew his name from consideration after it was reported that Blazers guard Damian Lillard had endorsed him for the job. Billups, 44, was hired as an assistant under Clippers coach Tyronn Lue last November.