The Boston Celtics suspend manager Ime Udoka for the entire season

The Boston Celtics have suspended HEAD Coach Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 season. The reason is a violation of the team’s policies. According to media reports, Udoka had an intimate and friendly relationship with a woman on the Celtics staff.

The team announced the suspension late Thursday night after multiple media speculated an all-day suspension.

A statement from the team read: “The Boston Celtics today announced that the team has suspended manager Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season for violating team rules.”

The Celtics continued: “A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The disqualification takes effect immediately.”

Soon after, Udoka himself also issued a statement to Malika Andrews ESPN from: “I would like to apologize to our players, the fans, the entire Celtics organization and my whole family for disappointing them. I’m sorry I put the team in this difficult situation and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone. the subjects involved, I will not comment further “.

After Udoka’s best assistant coach Will Hardy accepted the position of head coach of the Utah Jazz in the summer, assistant coach Joe Mazzulla got loud. ESPN take on the role of interim coach. Mazulla has been assistant to the Celtics since 2019.

Ime Udoka: Celtics head coach since 2021

What is particularly interesting about this statement is that it refers to “violations”. Sham’s Charania (Atletico) had only reported a relationship with an employee. The Celtics have been investigating internally since July. The background is said to have been that the relationship was not always consensual or that Udoka had addressed “inadequate words” to the woman.

Udoka joined the Celtics sideline just a year ago, having previously built an excellent reputation as an assistant with Spurs, Sixers and Nets. In his first season as head coach, he led the team to an impressive turnaround and, after a bad start to the season, to the NBA Finals. There, Boston lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games.

After promising off-season moves like the Malcolm Brogdon swap, the Celtics around two stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are also traded as prime candidates for a top Eastern Conference position for next season.

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