Ime Udoka facing suspension for relationship with Celtics staffer

Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Celtics HC Ime Udoka facing suspension for relationship with team staffer

By Sean Keane | Last updated Sep 22, 2022 2:33 AM ET

In his first season as head coach, Ime Udoka led the Boston Celtics to the NBA Finals. Now, according to an ominous Woj bomb, Udoka is looking at a "significant suspension" from the Celtics bench.

ESPN Sources: Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is facing possible disciplinary action – including a significant suspension – for an unspecified violation of organizational guidelines. Discussions are ongoing within the Celtics on a final determination. pic.twitter.com/1QZb0k326F
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 22, 2022

The Athletic's Shams Charania reported that Udoka had an improper consensual relationship with a Celtics employee.

Celtics coach Ime Udoka had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. It’s been deemed a violation of franchise’s code of conduct.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2022

Udoka has been in a relationship with his fiance, actress Nia Long, for over a decade. They have one son together. Long's dancing celebrations became a hit with Boston fans during the team's run to the Finals.

Yes!!! pic.twitter.com/uW96N1EEqg
— Nia Long (@NiaLong) May 30, 2022

The Celtics clearly take the violation quite seriously, with a very lengthy suspension possible for Udoka.

No final decision has been made on the length of a suspension, but internal discussions have included scenarios that would keep Udoka out for the entirety of the 2022-2023 season, sources told ESPN. https://t.co/Vnn2wWVcKA
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 22, 2022

It's rare that an NBA coach gets suspended at all, and even rarer when it's by his own team. The NBA often doles out suspensions for coaches who make contact with game officials or otherwise harass them, or when they get arrested for a DUI. This type of suspension is truly unprecedented.

Who will coach the Celtics in Udoka's absence? Last year's lead assistant, Will Hardy, is now the head coach of the Utah Jazz, and Udoka hadn't chosen a replacement. Internal candidates include 34-year-old Joe Mazzulla or former Trail Blazers star Damon Stoudamire.

Sean Keane

Sean Keane is a sportswriter and a comedian based in Oakland, California, with experience covering the NBA, MLB, NFL and Ice Cube’s three-on-three basketball league, The Big 3. He’s written for Comedy Central’s “Another Period,” ESPN the Magazine, and Audible. com

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