NBA Betting Scandal: Lue Also Under Investigation

The gambling controversy that’s been rocking the league seems to widen by the day. After the arrest of Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups – accused of taking part in a series of fixed poker games in Las Vegas – new revelations are pointing toward another familiar face: Tyronn Lue, current coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.

According to investigative journalist Pablo Torre on his podcast Pablo Torre Finds Out, Lue reportedly attended one of the poker games in question in April 2019, at a table separate from Billups’. That same evening, Billups is said to have benefited from a rigged card-shuffling system and tables equipped with X-ray technology – allegedly orchestrated by groups tied to organized crime.

Torre, citing direct sources, clarified that Lue is not accused of taking part in the manipulations themselves. However, his presence at the event – and his close ties with both Billups and another name mentioned in the investigation, Damon Jones – have drawn investigators’ attention.

Ty Lue was there, at the same event, and his friendship with Billups goes way back – to when he was 17 years old. He’s the same person Lue later wanted by his side as an assistant with the Clippers in 2020

Pablo Torre

The Dark Side of NBA Poker

Lue’s passion for poker is no secret. During his offseasons in Las Vegas, he’s often been spotted at the Aria High Limit Bar – an informal meeting place for many NBA figures who enjoy gambling.

That’s also a frequent hangout for Damon Jones, a former player and current assistant coach, who’s been implicated in another thread of the scandal: alleged internal “tip-offs” about LeBron James’ absences in certain Lakers games, which allowed informed bettors to place winning wagers.

Lue and Jones, connected by a long-standing friendship and multiple coaching collaborations, were also seen together at the 2024 World Series of Poker, photographed side by side at the table cheering for a friend in competition.

A Widening Investigation

Damon Jones’ name had already surfaced years ago over financial troubles – including two failed bankruptcy filings in Texas and a nearly $50,000 debt with the Bellagio. Now, he, Billups, and other former players such as Jontay Porter and Terry Rozier are part of a broader federal investigation seeking to uncover links between illegal betting, game manipulation, and misuse of insider information.

While Ty Lue has not been formally charged, his presence at one of the events under scrutiny — along with his close relationships with key figures in the case – could tarnish both his public image and that of the entire league, which is currently facing its most serious credibility crisis since the Tim Donaghy scandal.