NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he was “deeply disturbed” by the federal gambling indictments that led to the arrests of Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, former NBA guard and coach Damon Jones, and several others. Silver made the remarks on October 24, 2025, during a first-quarter interview with Amazon Prime reporter Cassidy Hubbarth while the Boston Celtics faced the New York Knicks.
“There is nothing more important to the league and its fans than the integrity of the competition,” Silver said. “I had a pit in my stomach. It was very upsetting.”
Background of the Investigation
Federal prosecutors in New York began examining Rozier in January as part of a broader probe into illegal sports betting. Investigators focused on a March 23, 2023 game in which Rozier, then with the Charlotte Hornets, left after 9:34 of play with a reported foot injury. Before tip-off, one bettor placed 30 wagers in 46 minutes on Rozier “under” props at a Biloxi, Mississippi casino, while sportsbooks in New Orleans saw a simultaneous surge in similar wagers. The unusual activity led some books to halt betting on Rozier’s performance, and every one of the 30 bets ultimately cashed when he exited early.
Rozier missed the Hornets’ final eight games of the 2022/23 season with the same foot issue.
League Response
Silver noted that regulated sportsbooks flagged the suspicious betting and alerted both gaming regulators and the NBA. “We looked into that situation and were very transparent about it,” he said, adding that league investigators found “insufficient evidence” to link Rozier to the bets. Rozier turned over his phone, sat for interviews, and was cleared to continue playing at the time.
The commissioner emphasized that the NBA has cooperated with federal authorities ever since. “The federal government has subpoena power … things the league office can’t do,” Silver said. “Two and a half years later, he still hasn’t been convicted of anything, in fairness to Terry. Obviously it doesn’t look good, but he’s been put on administrative leave.”
Impact on the Season
Silver acknowledged that the gambling scandal has overshadowed the opening of the 2025/26 campaign. “I apologize to our fans that we are all dealing with this situation,” he told Hubbarth.
Source: HoopsRumors
