The Boston Celtics have suspended HEAD Coach Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 season. Reason is a violation of team policies. Udoka had a consensual, intimate relationship with a woman on the Celtics staff.
The team announced this late Thursday evening after several media had speculated about a suspension during the day.
A team statement read: “The Boston Celtics announce today that the team has suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season for violating team rules.”
The Celtics continued: “A decision regarding his future with the Celtis beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension is effective immediately.”
Shortly thereafter, Udoka himself also made a statement to Malika Andrews ESPN from: “I would like to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization and all my family for disappointing them. I am sorry that I put the team in this difficult situation and I accept the decision of the team. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will not comment further.”
After Udoka’s top assistant coach Will Hardy accepted the position as head coach of the Utah Jazz in the summer, assistant coach Joe Mazzulla is considered a promising candidate for the role of interim coach.
Ime Udoka: Head coach of the Celtics since 2021
Udoka joined the Celtics touchline just a year ago, having previously built a solid reputation as an assistant with the Spurs, Sixers and Nets. In his first season as head coach, he led the team to an impressive turnaround and, after a poor start to the season, to the NBA Finals. There, Boston lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
After good offseason moves like the trade for Malcolm Brogdon, the Celtics around the two stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are also traded as hot candidates for a top position in the Eastern Conference for the coming season.