Celtics’ Ime Udoka could be suspended full season for improper intimate relationship

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a feminine member of the staff employees — a violation of the franchise’s code of conduct — in accordance with an early Thursday morning report by The Athletic’s Shams Charania.

ESPN’S Adrian Wojnarowski first reported late Wednesday night time that Udoka may very well be going through doable disciplinary motion and stated no resolution has been made but on the size of the suspension, but it surely may very well be for the whole 2022-23 season. A call on the size of the suspension might come as early as Thursday morning.

Whereas the precise nature of the improper relationship stays unclear, the 45-year-old Udoka has been in a relationship with actress Nia Lengthy since 2010. The couple share a son collectively.

Ime Udoka (middle) with Celtics stars Jayson Tatum (left) and Jaylen Brown.
Ime Udoka (center) with Celtics stars Jayson Tatum (left) and Jaylen Brown.
AP
Ime Udoka and Nia Long at the 2017 BET Awards.
Ime Udoka and Nia Lengthy on the 2017 BET Awards.
FilmMagic

Udoka was employed by Boston after spending eight years as an assistant below Gregg Popovich with the Spurs earlier than temporary stints with the 76ers and Nets. He was thought of one of many brightest teaching stars within the league.

If Udoka is suspended for a major period of time, it could be a blow to the Celtics, who thought they'd their coach of the current — and future. Udoka led the Celtics to the Jap Convention championship and a berth within the NBA Finals in opposition to the Golden State Warriors in his first season as head coach.


Right here’s what to find out about Ime Udoka’s season-long suspension:


ESPN reported that Celtics assistant Joe Mazzulla can be in severe consideration to develop into the interim coach.

The Udoka story was simply the most recent in a heavy information day across the NBA.

First, Suns proprietor Robert Sarver, who was below hearth following an investigation into allegations of office misconduct in opposition to him and the group, introduced earlier Wednesday that he was promoting the Suns and the Mercury of the WNBA.

Ime Udoka
Ime Udoka
AP

Sarver was suspended for one season and issued a $10 million high-quality, amid rising stress that the punishment was not extreme sufficient, Sarver determined to step away. Suns vice chairman Jahm Najafi and PayPal CEO Dan Schulman stated they didn’t need him to return, and LeBron James and Chris Paul additionally beforehand spoke out saying the punishment wasn’t harsh sufficient.

In different NBA information on Wednesday, Charania, who competes with Wojnarowski for tales, signed new offers to stay at Stadium/Bally Sports activities — each owned by Sinclair — and The Athletic, The Publish has confirmed.

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