Udoka could miss part or all of the Celtics’ 2022-23 season for violating team rules.
In his first season at the helm, Ime Udoka led the Celtics to the NBA Finals, which even he admits was ahead of schedule.
Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is facing a “significant” suspension for violating team rules, according to multiple reports. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Udoka is facing disciplinary action for “his role in a consensual, intimate relationship with a female franchise staff member,” according to sources. Those sources tell the ESPN reporter that the relationship is a violation of team guidelines and that internal discussions have suggested a suspension that could last as long as the entire 2022-2023 Celtics season. ESPN sources say Udoka’s job is not in jeopardy. The news of Udoka’s possible suspension was confirmed by The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach on Wednesday night, among others. Himmelsbach suggests a final decision on Udoka could be made sometime Thursday. Udoka was hired by the Celtics in the summer of 2021 to replace Brad Stevens, who himself replaced Danny Agee in the Celtics’ front office as the team’s president of basketball operations. Udoka’s top assistant, Will Hardy, recently left to join Ainge and coach the Utah Jazz. Wojnarowski reports that Celtics assistant Joe Mazzulla will be strongly considered for an interim role should Udoka be sidelined. Udoka joined the Celtics after stints as an assistant coach with the Spurs, 76ers and Nets, as well as an NBA career. He is engaged to actress Nia Long and the couple have an 11-year-old son.
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