The Boston Celtics have suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the 2022/23 season following a consensual relationship with a staff member.
Udoka has been engaged to actress Nia Long for years, but the pair were reportedly ‘split before the current issue’, according to Brandon Robinson of Bally Sports.
—Boston Celtics (@celtics) September 23, 2022
The NBA team said Udoka violated team policies and that a decision on his future beyond the upcoming season would be “made at a later date.”
As a result, Udoka’s assistant Joe Mazzulla will assume the role of interim coach.
The club statement said: “The Boston Celtics announced today that the team has suspended Head Coach Ime Udoka for the 2022/23 season for violating team policies.
“A decision regarding his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension takes effect immediately.
Udoka also released a statement saying, “I want to apologize to our players, our fans, the entire Celtics organization and my family for letting them down.
“I am sorry to have put the team in this difficult situation and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will not comment further.
Udoka spent much of his NBA career with San Antonio before joining the team’s coaching staff.
He was named coach of the Boston Celtics in 2021 and led them to the NBA Finals with a 51-31 record last season, going 26-6 in the last 32 games.