The Portland Trail Blazers are navigating a playoff series and organizational uncertainty at the same time, with interim head coach Tiago Splitter addressing reports that owner Tom Dundon is already exploring permanent coaching options.
According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, Dundon has spoken with 15 to 20 potential candidates while Splitter remains in charge during Portland’s first-round matchup against the San Antonio Spurs.
Splitter kept his focus on the court following the Blazers’ 106-103 Game 2 win on April 21.
The interim coach emphasized maintaining routine despite outside noise. “Same way when I got the job and all the stuff that was going on,” Splitter added, referencing the circumstances that led to his promotion.
Portland evened the series at 1-1 behind Scoot Henderson’s 31-point performance and a late defensive stand that held San Antonio without a field goal over the final 3:37.
The Blazers closed on an 11-2 run, a sequence built on defensive stops and execution in the paint, including a late alley-oop from Robert Williams III.
While the team is producing results on the floor, Splitter acknowledged he has already addressed distractions internally. “I spoke to the players at the beginning of the play-in tournament and advised them that it’s not a time to be in your social media now and reading everything that is out there or even on TV,” he said.
He added, “I know it’s hard. Social media is part of our lives, but trying to just focus on basketball.”
Portland’s situation stems from a midseason coaching change, when Splitter took over after Chauncey Billups was arrested as part of a federal investigation. Billups has pleaded not guilty to charges of money laundering and wire fraud.
Since then, Splitter has guided the Blazers to a 42-40 record and the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference, while overseeing the development of forward Deni Avdija.
Avdija publicly backed his coach after Game 2. “He got thrown in a difficult situation,” Avdija said. “It wasn’t easy for him to just all of a sudden take the head job.”
The forward highlighted Splitter’s impact on the roster. “I think he’s done phenomenal. He’s getting the best out of everybody. He’s believing in each and single one of his players, and we love playing for him.”
He added, “He’s a winner, he’s a competitor. He knows how it is to win a championship. He’s passionate, and he got all the tools to be a great coach, and that’s what he’s doing.”
Despite those endorsements, reports indicate Dundon is prioritizing cost efficiency, with a target coaching salary around $1 million annually.
Game 3 is scheduled for Friday in Portland, where the Blazers will look to carry momentum while their coaching future remains unresolved.
