Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups (right) helps up forward Toumani Camara (33) against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025, in Portland. (AP Photo/Howard Lao) AP

Chauncey Billups on the Rising Stars announcement: “I’m happy for Scoot. I’m happy for Bryce. I’m not happy that Toumani and Donovan didn’t make it. I thought both of them were very deserving.”

The rise of Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija continued Tuesday during a 125-112 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at the Moda Center. Avdija led the Blazers with a season-high 30 points and added nine rebounds with four assists, a performance coach Chauncey Billups recognized as the forward’s best since arriving to Rip City this season.

Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said Thursday that rookie Donovan Clingan is nearing a return from a mild left ankle sprain.

The Blazers’ win over the Magic exposes a major flaw in their rebuild strategy, with Chauncey Billups’ decisions negatively impacting their long-term outlook.

They overcame a 22-point deficit and defeated the Portland Trail Blazers ... to Trail Blazers head coach (and Pistons great) Chauncey Billups, who was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame ...

The Portland Trail Blazers held the upper hand throughout the second half on their way to a 125-112 home win over the Milwaukee Bucks and their former teammate.

Portland Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, second from right, helps up forward Toumani Camara against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half of an NBA game Tuesday, Jan. 28

Damian Lillard got a warm welcome when the Milwaukee Bucks visited the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday night.

Deni Avdija had 28 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, Toumani Camara had 24 points and nine rebounds, and Scoot Henderson had 25 points for Portland.

Opponents paint a portrait of one of the NBA’s up-and-coming defenders so convincing that they are open about wanting him on their team.

The Portland Trail Blazers are set to have their recent resurgence extensively tested when they welcome the Oklahoma City Thunder to Moda Center on Monday. Meanwhile, the visitors will head to Oregon aiming to avoid consecutive defeats for the first time since November 20 off the back of a rare loss last time out.