Ime Udoka Reportedly Had Improper Relationship with Female Member of Celtics' Staff

Udoka is facing a significant suspension, but his job's not believed to be in jeopardy.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

On the heels of a report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski that Ime Udoka might receive a significant suspension from the Celtics, Shams Charania of The Athletic revealed, "Udoka had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff."

Per Wojnarowski, the belief is Udoka's job is not in jeopardy. In his absence, expect Joe Mazzulla to fill in for him. Mazzulla became Boston's top assistant after Will Hardy left to become the head coach of the Jazz.

The Celtics could decide Udoka's punishment, including the extent of his looming suspension, as soon as Thursday. According to Wojnarowski, "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."

Earlier, he reported there's a belief that Udoka's job is not in jeopardy. However, if the team suspends him for the season, he may have already coached his last game with the franchise.

It's best to avoid leaping to conclusions, but if that's how this plays out, perhaps Brad Stevens will return to his previous role as Boston's head coach.

SI Sportsbook considers the Celtics the betting favorite to win the 2022-23 NBA title. But leading up to training camp, which starts Tuesday, Boston's lost Danilo Gallinari, probably for the entire campaign, due to a torn ACL, Robert Williams is undergoing an arthroscopic knee procedure that's believed to keep him out for the start of the season, and now, there's a chance they suspend their head coach for the year.

The plan was for Udoka to speak at media day on Monday. 

Further Reading

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Weighing Whether the Celtics Should Sign Carmelo Anthony

Weighing the Celtics' Internal and External Options Without Danilo Gallinari, Who Could Return This Season

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