The Boston Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the upcoming season less than a month before the start of the NBA season.
The Boston Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the upcoming season less than a month before the start of the NBA season. The reason given by the club in a statement was a “violation of internal guidelines”.
The Celtics did not provide more details about the punishment, which is one of the harshest ever imposed on an NBA head coach.
Media reports of “inappropriate relationship” with a club employee
Udoka had last played in his first season as head coach in the finals against the Golden State Warriors for the title. A decision on the future of the 45-year-old coach will be made at a later date, it said.
Several US media such as ESPN, “The Athletic” and the “Washington Post” reported that Udoka had an “inappropriate intimate relationship” with a Celtics employee.
Udoka: “I accept the decision”
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization and my family for letting them down. I’m sorry that I put the team in a difficult situation and I accept the decisionUS media quoted a reaction from Udoka. “Out of respect for everyone involved,” Udoka will not make any further comments, it said.
It was initially unclear who would take over his position for the duration of the suspension. His assistant Joe Mazzulla is the favorite.
