Blazers coach Chauncey Billups to miss upcoming games due to death in family

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Portland trail Blazers Head Coach Chauncey Billups will miss the team’s upcoming home games against the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks due to the recent passing of his grandmother.

Assistant coach Nate Bjorkgren will serve as head coach in his place, the Blazers organization announced Thursday. 

The Blazers will face the Jazz on Dec. 26 and the Mavericks on Dec. 28. The Blazers currently rank 13th in the NBA’s Western Conference standings with a record of 9-20.