FBI Director Kash Patel (Photo via FOX News)

The NBA woke up to some unwanted attention on Thursday morning, just two days after opening night, with one head coach, one former player, and one cuʀʀᴇnt player all getting aʀʀᴇsted by the FBI as part of a sports gambling sting.

Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups and Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier were both taken into custody, while former Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones has also been apprehended.

FBI director Kash Patel held a press conference on Thursday to address the development and reveal that over 30 people had been aʀʀᴇsted in a “historic” sting.

The investigation, branded “Operation Royal Flush,” began four years ago and encompassed 11 states.

According to Patel, it has exposed widespread corruption, including links between NBA players, coaches, and the Italian Mafia.

“This is an illegal gambling operation and sports rigging operation that spanned the course of years,” Patel said, confirming “Chauncey Billups, Damon Jones, and Terry Rozier were taken into custody today.”

Kash Patel Cites Fraud, Theft, And Robbery

Kash Patel (Photo By Jack Gruber-USA TODAY via Imagn Images)

The Bureau targeted a network alleged to perpetrate wire fraud, money laundering, and extortion.

“We’re talking about tens of millions of dollars in fraud and theft and robbery across a multi-year investigation,” Patel added.

The investigation is understood to have uncovered a scheme involving rigged poker games with direct ties to organized crime. Four of the five New York Families—Bonanno, Gambino, Genovese, and Lucchese—allegedly helped organize games and enforce debt payment.

Altered card-shuffling machines able to read decks and X-ray tables that could see face-down cards were said to be part of an elaborate setup that swindled wealthy individuals out of their money.

Per U.S. Attorney Joseph Nocella, the scheme utilized “face cards,” including Billups, to lure wealthy victims to the tables.

“What the victims didn’t know [was] that everybody else at the poker game… were in on the scam,” Nocella claimed.

The U.S. Attorney also outlined an insider sports betting conspiracy, citing the use of inside knowledge regarding NBA games and outcomes.

“This included knowing when players would sit out games or exit early with “purported injuries,” he said.

It’s said to have relied on “corrupt individuals, including Jones and Rozier.” In one instance, information was obtained by “threatening a cuʀʀᴇnt player,” identified as Jontay Porter, who received a lifetime ban from the league earlier this year.

This is still a developing story.

Luka Doncic ‘destroys’ the Mavs on his return. Gets standing ovation and shows love to Mark Cuban

Luka Doncic hits 45 points in his first game in Dallas since being traded to the Los Angeles.

It’s rare for a home crowd to cheer the visiting team, but Luka Doncic’s return to Dallas was no ordinary night.

Just days before February’s trade deadline, the Mavericks shocked the NBA by sending their 26-year-old superstar to the Lakers—a move that outraged fans and sparked backlash toward GM Nico Harrison.

On Wednesday, Doncic played his first game back in Dallas since the trade. The arena was filled with fans in both his old Mavs and new Lakers jerseys, many chanting “Fire Nico” in protest.

Despite the emotion in the air, Doncic delivered a dominant performance, scoring a game-high 45 points to lead the Lakers to a 112-97 win. It was a powerful return for one of the league’s brightest stars—and a night Dallas won’t soon forget

The Mavericks pay tribute to Luka Dončić

While the Mavericks’ decision to trade Luka Doncic remains heavily criticized, they handled his return to Dallas with undeniable grace. The organization made sure his first game back as a Laker was met with respect and appreciation.

Every seat in the arena was draped with a T-shirt reading “Hvala za vse,” which translates from Slovenian to “thank you for everything.” It was a thoughtful nod to Doncic’s heritage and impact on the franchise.

Before tip-off, during the starting lineup announcements, the Mavericks played a tribute video showcasing some of Doncic’s most iconic moments in a Dallas jersey. The emotional gesture clearly resonated—moving Doncic to tears in front of the crowd that once called him their own.

Luka Doncic ‘DESTROYS’ his old team

Luka delivered a dazzling performance against his former team, putting up 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also added 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 steals in a game that showed exactly why he’s one of the best in the league.

From the opening tip, Doncic was locked in. By halftime, Doncic had racked up 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting in just 19 minutes—marking the 10th time in his career he’s scored 30 or more in a single half.

Though his scoring slowed in the second half, he continued to lead effectively, securing both a Lakers win and an unforgettable showing for the fans in Dallas.