Celtics coach Ime Udoka facing suspension for improper relationship, report says

David Suggs

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Celtics coach Ime Udoka facing suspension for improper relationship, report says image

Celtics coach Ime Udoka is facing a lengthy suspension for violating the team's code of conduct, multiple reports said Wednesday night.

Sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium that Udoka had a consensual, improper intimate relationship with a female staff member.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Celtics have discussed the possibility of suspending Udoka for the entire 2022-23 NBA season. A decision on the suspension's length could come as early as Thursday, according to the report.

Udoka's job isn't believed to be in jeopardy, Wojnarowski added.

Udoka, 45, led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in 2022 in his first year as the team's coach. He helped facilitate the growth of rising superstars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and cemented Boston's status as one of the best defensive teams in recent NBA history. Udoka played a pivotal role in the C's developing their own brand of physicality and toughness.

He also made a series of adjustments to the offense during the postseason. After ranking ninth in the regular season in offensive rating, the Celtics were the second-best offense in the league during the playoffs.

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"He's made a lot of great adjustments, more so on the offensive end than anything defensively, because he’s prepared us for these guys. He's spent a lot of time with them," forward Grant Williams said during Boston's first-round series against the Nets. Udoka was an assistant in Brooklyn before joining the Celtics.

With a youthful roster — Tatum and Brown are 24 and 25, respectively — the Celtics appeared to be on the cusp of greatness.

Boston is scheduled to open training camp next week. Per MassLive's Brian Robb, Udoka was expected to meet with the media on Monday ahead of Tuesday's start of camp.

Wojnarowski told Scott Van Pelt on "SportsCenter" that an Udoka suspension is coming from the Celtics, not the NBA.

Sources told Wojnarowski that assistant Joe Mazzulla would be seen as a serious candidate to take over as interim head coach.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.