Boston Celtics Coach Udoka Could Be Suspended For Season Over Relationship With Staffer, Report Says

Topline

Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is facing a potentially significant suspension after he violated team policy by having an intimate relationship with a female staffer, according to multiple reports, which comes just months after he led the team to the NBA Finals.

Key Facts

ESPN and the Athletic reported disciplinary discussions are ongoing in the Celtics organization after the discovery of the consensual relationship that violated team guidelines, citing sources with knowledge of the matter.

Among the options are a ban that would keep Udoka out for the entire 2022-23 NBA season, according to ESPN, though the team is reportedly not considering firing him.

A final decision on disciplinary action could come Thursday.

The Celtics could not be immediately reached for comment.

What To Watch For

NBA training camps are set to begin at the end of the month. The Celtics’ regular season opener is against the Philadelphia 76ers on October 19.

Key Background

Udoka led the Celtics to a 51-31 regular season record ahead of a run to the NBA Finals that shocked many league observers last season, Udoka’s first as Celtics coach. The run marked a massive turnaround in the team’s fortunes from the year before, when the Celtics finished 36-36 in a Covid-shortened season and were knocked out of the playoffs in the first round. The team’s finals appearance last year was the first for the storied franchise since 2010. Udoka’s coaching tenure comes after he played more than a decade as a professional basketball player, which included stints with five NBA teams.

Further Reading

Sources: Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka facing disciplinary action for relationship with member of franchise’s staff (ESPN)

Celtics’ Ime Udoka facing possible discipline over relationship with member of team staff: Sources (The Athletic)

2022 NBA Finals: Boston Celtics Ride Incredible Fourth Quarter To Victory In Game 1 (Forbes)