As Congress knocks, NBA sends memo vowing review of 'dire risks' of betting
Mon Oct 27 4:37pm ET
Field Level Media
NBA officials are planning to take a step back and review what the league labeled "dire risks" gambling can have on players and their careers, according a memo sent to all 30 teams on Monday.
Changes under consideration include timing and release of injury information and applying artificial intelligence models to flag irregular or concerning betting activity.
The memo published in part by multiple media outlets underlined the concern commissioner Adam Silver stated after a federal indictment detailed eight NBA games flagged by sportsbooks and investigators for unusual activity. Most were tied to player performance wagers or prop bets projecting category-based production for individuals. Feds also flagged instances of co-conspirators placing wagers on a team or game using privileged information.
Heat guard Terry Rozier is at the center of the indictment revealed last week in Brooklyn. He was cleared by the NBA after a 2023 investigation into his ties to purported gambling activity and intentionally underperforming to assist a gambling ring make profits on prop bets.
The NBA said in its Monday memo that work had begun to diligently enhance real-time monitoring, noting sportsbooks were able to flag the excessive activity well before Rozier took the court and played just nine minutes in one game in March 2023. The game in question prompted federal investigators to dig further.
The league has only deepened ties with betting and gambling promotions as legalization of sports betting has spread on a state-by-state basis throughout the United States.
Following an offseason in which media rights agreements shifted from traditional partners, the NBA league site touts "further integrations with FanDuel and Fanatics, as well as other digital and connected TV partners, will roll out during the season."
Sportsbooks have sponsorships and stadium agreements with multiple NBA teams. Betway is the official sportsbook of the Heat.
In the memo, the league says: "While the unusual betting on Terry Rozier's ‘unders' in the March 2023 game was detected in real time because the bets were placed legally, we believe there is more that can be done from a legal/regulatory perspective to protect the integrity of the NBA and our affiliated leagues. In particular, proposition bets on individual player performance involve heightened integrity concerns and require additional scrutiny."
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups was arrested in Oregon and tied to a vast organized crime ring running illegal high-stakes poker games, allegedly employing technology to rig hands to the benefit of his co-conspirators.
Silver said last week in his first comments on the matter that he was "deeply disturbed" by the allegations.
NBA league policy prohibits team and league officials from sports betting. Players and employees of the league and teams are also banned from sharing information that isn't available to the public.
Billups was also accused in last week's indictment of informing a bettor of the Blazers' intentions to "tank" in at least one NBA regular-season game during his time as head coach in Portland.
"With sports betting now occupying such a significant part of the current sports landscape, every effort must be made to ensure that players, coaches and other NBA personnel are fully aware of the dire risks that gambling can impose upon their careers and livelihoods; that our injury disclosure rules are appropriate; and that players are protected from harassment from bettors," the NBA memo reads.
Congress has requested a response from Silver. A bipartisan group of six representatives serving the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce requested a briefing from Silver in a letter on Monday.
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New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (foot) won't play on Monday night versus the Boston Celtics. It's only the third game of the 2025 campaign for the Pelicans. However, Williamson will already miss his first game. It's unfortunate, considering the former Duke Blue Devil is averaging 27.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 6.0 assists, and 4.0 steals. He's dealing with a left foot contusion, but only time will tell if he'll be back on the court when the Pels head to Denver for a meeting with the Nuggets. In the meantime, fantasy managers could see more production from Trey Murphy III, Saddiq Bey, and Jordan Poole.
Detroit Pistons guard Marcus Sasser (hip) is unavailable for Monday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. A right hip injury has kept Sasser out of the lineup so far this season, with his next chance to suit up coming Wednesday versus the Magic. The 25-year-old averaged 6.6 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 14.2 minutes per contest across 57 games last season. With Sasser, Caris LeVert (hamstring), and Jaden Ivey (knee) all sidelined, Duncan Robinson should continue to see an expanded role in the rotation, making him a potential short-term fantasy option.
Atlanta Hawks center Kristaps Porzingis (illness) will play on Monday night versus the Chicago Bulls. He missed the last two games because of an illness after amassing 20 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in the loss to the Toronto Raptors on opening night. The Hawks will also welcome back Jalen Johnson (ankle) and Zaccharie Risacher (ankle) on Monday night, meaning less minutes for Onyeka Okongwu, Mouhamed Gueye, and Nickeil-Alexander Walker.
Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (ankle) is available for Monday's meeting with the Chicago Bulls. He was dealing with a sprained right ankle, keeping him off the floor for Saturday's loss with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Fortunately, Johnson will be back after missing only one game. The Hawks will also welcome back Kristaps Porzingis (illness) and Zaccharie Risacher (ankle), meaning less work for Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Onyeka Okongwu, and Mouhamed Gueye.
Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports that Los Angeles Lakers centerJaxson Hayes(knee) will miss his third consecutive contest on Monday versus the Portland Trail Blazers. The 25-year-old big man has been out of action due to a sore knee and is considered day-to-day. Hayes could be back in action on Wednesday in Minnesota against the Timberwolves. However, withDeandre Aytonhealthy, Hayes has little to no fantasy value. His absence may allow Jarred Vanderbilt to get some extra work on Monday, after he registered nine points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals across 27 minutes in Sunday's win over the Kings.
According to Khobi Price of The Orange County Register, Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart (quadriceps) won't suit up against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday. The 31-year-old suffered a right quadriceps contusion during Sunday's 127-120 win over the Kings, finishing with 11 points, three rebounds, and five assists in 31 minutes. Gabe Vincent (ankle) will also be sidelined due to a right ankle sprain. With a thin Lakers backcourt, fantasy managers will be hoping Austin Reaves can replicate his monster performance from Sunday, when he racked up 51 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals across 39 minutes.
Khobi Price of The Orange County Register reports that Los Angeles Lakers guard Gabe Vincent (ankle) will be unavailable for Monday's matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers after sustaining a left ankle sprain in Sunday's 127-120 win over the Kings. Marcus Smart (quadriceps) will also sit out with a right quadriceps contusion. With a significantly depleted backcourt, the Lakers will lean on Dalton Knecht and Austin Reaves to log extra minutes. Reaves is coming off the best performance of his NBA career, posting 51 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals in 39 minutes during Sunday's victory.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren (back) is expected to play in Monday's matchup against the Dallas Mavericks. Holmgren had been downgraded to a questionable tag due to lower back soreness. Despite battling the injury on Saturday, the big man still delivered 31 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals. With Holmgren back in action, expect another strong performance against a Mavs' frontcourt lacking depth due to the losses of Dereck Lively II (knee) and Daniel Gafford (ankle).
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Monday's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Celtics could rest Brown on the second leg of their back-to-back to maintain his health as he continues recovering from the left hamstring tightness that surfaced in the preseason. Brown has been outstanding, averaging 29.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists despite the team's 0-3 start as they adjust to life without Jayson Tatum (Achilles). If Brown is ruled out, Sam Hauser could see an expanded role, having already started two games this season.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (foot) is listed as questionable for Monday night's matchup with the Boston Celtics with a bone contusion in his left foot. Williamson has been electric to start the season, averaging 27 points, 9.5 rebounds, six assists and four steals through his first two games. If he's unable to play, team will likely turn to a committee approach to replace their star's production against a difficult Eastern Conference foe. Jordan Poole and Trey Murphy III should see increased usage, while Saddiq Bey likely maintains a spot in the starting five.
Detroit Pistons guard/forward Caris LeVert (hamstring) is still recovering from a hamstring injury and has picked up a questionable tag for Monday's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. If LeVert is able to play, this would be his first game back since the season opener, where he registered eight points, two assists, one rebound, and one steal across 21 minutes. In his absence, Larry Nance Jr., Dean Wade, and Sam Merrill have all been seeing increased playing time. Merrill remains in the starting five, so if LeVert is downgraded, he makes the best streaming option for fantasy managers looking for shooting stats.
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (hip/face) has picked up a probable tag ahead of Monday's matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. The superstar point guard is dealing with both a facial and hip contusion, but it doesn't seem too severe. In Sunday's win over the Boston Celtics, Cunningham finished with 25 points, eight assists, three rebounds, and one block while shooting 8-for-18 from the floor and 2-for-5 from the free throw line. If, for some reason, Cunningham doesn't suit up in this one, Ron Holland II and Javonte Green should both see an uptick in minutes.
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (toe) will not return on Monday after being ruled out for a fourth consecutive game to start the season. The dynamic combo guard still doesn't have a firm timetable for his return to action, but is trending in the right direction. Since Lonzo Ball (rest) was also ruled out for this game against the Detroit Pistons, Craig Porter Jr. and Jaylon Tyson are in line for some added minutes off the bench. Porter went on a solid run last season with extended time and looks to be the better streaming option for fantasy managers needing a wider array of stats. In their last game on Sunday against the Milwaukee Bucks, he posted five points, three rebounds, one assist, and three steals across 16 minutes.
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Lonzo Ball (rest) has been ruled out of Monday's contest against the Detroit Pistons. The veteran guard is getting a rest day due to injury management of his left knee. It was already communicated before the season started that Ball would likely sit out one half of back-to-backs throughout the year, and this will be the first one. With Darius Garland (toe) still sidelined, Craig Porter Jr. and Jaylon Tyson would be the next two guards to get some minutes off the bench. Porter has a better chance to provide all-around stats like he did on Sunday with five points, three rebounds, one assist, and three steals across 15 minutes.
The Memphis Grizzlies are signing free agent center Charles Bassey to a 10-day hardship contract, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Currently, the Grizzlies have Scottie Pippen Jr., Ty Jerome, Brandon Clarke, and Zach Edey all missing extended periods of time with various injuries. In their last game, Jock Landale and Santi Aldama were splitting minutes in the front court along with Jaren Jackson Jr. While Basset will likely get a handful of minutes in a short period of time, he's not going to be much of a fantasy asset in standard-sized leagues. Bassey averaged 4.4 points and 4.2 rebounds across 10.4 minutes per game last season in 36 appearances with the San Antonio Spurs.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards (hamstring) is set to miss the next two weeks. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the superstar suffered a right hamstring strain and won't be back on the court until November. Edwards was only able to play three minutes during Sunday's game against the Indiana Pacers and registered five points and one rebound in that short time. In the meantime, Julius Randle, Donte DiVincenzo, and Jaden McDaniels will likely have to pick up some of the offensive slack. Mike Conley seems to be the most likely candidate to move into the starting lineup, but Naz Reid and Bones Hyland could also see some added minutes.
Lakers' G Austin Reaves recorded a double-double, scoring 51 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in a 127-120 win over Sacramento on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Milwaukee's F Giannis Antetokounmpo recorded a double-double, scoring 40 points and grabbing 14 rebounds in a 113-118 loss to Cleveland on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Hornets' G LaMelo Ball recorded a triple-double, finishing with 38 points, 13 assists and 13 rebounds in a 139-113 win over Washington on Sunday, Oct. 26.
Boston's F Jaylen Brown scored 41 points on 12-of-25 shooting in a 113-119 loss to Detroit on Sunday, Oct. 26.
