Reports: Celtics coach Ime Udoka's "likely" facing season-long suspension, but won't resign from job
BOSTON -- The suspension looming over Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka could be for the duration of the upcoming season, according to a new report from ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Wojnarowski said Thursday morning that Udoka is "likely" facing a full-season suspension for his "consensual relationship with a female staff member," and that a formal announcement could come on Thursday.
Despite one report on Thursday that said Udoka was considering resigning from his job, TNT's Chris Haynes reported Thursday afternoon that Udoka will not resign.
Wojnarowski first reported the looming suspension on Wednesday night, only saying at the time that Udoka would be disciplined "for an unspecified violation of organizational guidelines." The Athletic's Shams Charania reported from sources that Udoka had "an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff."
Udoka is engaged to his longtime girlfriend, actress Nia Long.
Wojnarowski made clear on ESPN's "SportsCenter" that the discipline is coming from the Celtics, not the NBA.
"This is a Celtics matter, I'm told. This is not a league issue," Wojnarowski said. "This is an internal Boston look at Udoka and his violation of team guidelines."
The 45-year-old Udoka led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first year as a head coach last year, losing in six games to the Golden State Warriors. A former assistant coach for the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers, and Brooklyn Nets, Udoka led the Celtics to a 51-31 regular-season record.
Wojnarowski reported Wednesday night that Udoka's job "isn't believed to be in jeopardy" over the matter. Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix reported that Udoka "has considered the possibility of resigning."
Wojnarowski reported that assistant coach Joe Mazzulla is likely to become the team's interim coach.
UPDATE: The Celtics did indeed suspend Udoka for the full 2022-23 season.
