The team cited violations of team policies in its announcement. Sources previously told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that Udoka had an intimate relationship with a female member of the franchise's staff.
The suspension is effective immediately, and a decision about Udoka's future with the organization will be made later, the team said.
"I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down. I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team's decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment," Udoka said in a statement to ESPN's Malika Andrews.
The season-long suspension for Udoka is largely unprecedented for a sitting head coach in the NBA.
He replaced Brad Stevens as coach. Stevens moved upstairs to be Boston's president of basketball operations after his predecessor in that job, Danny Ainge, chose to leave the organization.
In his first season as coach, Udoka oversaw a remarkable turnaround in Boston, one that saw the Celtics go from being under .500 in late January to closing the season with a 28-7 record over their final 35 games. They then authored an impressive run through the Eastern Conference playoffs, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years.
Udoka is the fifth coach in the past 25 years to reach the NBA Finals in his first season as a head coach and the first since Nick Nurse in 2019. This one year suspension of Ime Udoka would be unprecedented for an NBA coach, as no one has ever been given one this long.
The coaching move may affect the odds of the Celtics of reaching the NBA Finals for a second consecutive year, despite them being projected as the favorites in the Eastern Conference, this entire situation could derail their expectations. American actress Nia Long’s fiancé and head coach of Boston Celtics, Ime Udoka is expected to face disciplinary action over an alleged improper and consensual relationship with a member of the Celtics’ staff.
The 45-year-old manager of the American professional basketball team has been engaged to Long since 2015 and both have two children together, despite not being married.
One of the people who spoke with The AP said Celtics assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will take over on an interim basis.
Mazzulla interviewed for the Utah Jazz coaching job this summer, a position that ultimately went to Will Hardy, another of Udoka’s assistants in Boston last season. Udoka’s other assistant coaches were Damon Stoudemire, Ben Sullivan, Aaron Miles and Tony Dobbins.
It also adds to a run of major issues the club is facing going into the start of practices.
Boston made some big moves early in the offseason, acquiring Malcolm Brogdon in a trade from Indiana to bolster an already strong backcourt, then added sharpshooting veteran forward Danilo Gallinari as a free agent.
But last month, Gallinari tore the ACL in his left knee and will be lost for the coming season. Center Robert Williams, a major part of Boston’s defensive scheme who played through knee issues during last season’s playoffs, is still dealing with knee problems and isn’t expected to be ready to start this season.
The Celtics were also mentioned prominently in trade speculation surrounding Brooklyn forward Kevin Durant, a perennial All-Star who wanted to be moved elsewhere by the Nets — then pulled back that demand after several weeks. It would have taken a significant package of players, likely including Jaylen Brown, to land Durant, and the trade talk likely left some wondering about their futures in Boston.
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