The Boston Celtics plan to discipline coach Ime Udoka, likely with a suspension, over an inappropriate relationship with a member of the organization, two people with knowledge of the matter told The Associated Press on Thursday.
The people spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the reigning Eastern Conference champions have not released any details publicly. The exact punishment, including the length of the possible suspension, has not been determined.
ESPN was the first outlet to report for the first time Wednesday night that a suspension was being considered for the team policy violation. ESPN and The Athletic later reported that the Celtics’ investigation revolves around whether Udoka had an inappropriate relationship with a member of the organization.
Losing Udoka would be a significant blow to a team that is widely considered among the favorites to contend for the NBA title this season after falling just two games short of winning the championship last season — Udoka’s first year managing the NBA. Boston.
The Celtics start their training camp on Tuesday. If Udoka is not allowed to lead the team, the task will almost certainly fall to one of his assistants. One possible candidate, Joe Mazzulla, was interviewed for the Utah Jazz coaching job this summer, a job that was eventually won by Will Hardy — who was Udoka’s assistant in Boston last season.
Udoka’s other assistant coaches are Damon Stoudemire, Ben Sullivan, Aaron Miles and Tony Dobbins.
Udoka had a brilliant first season as Celtics coach, finishing the regular season 51-31 — going 26-6 in the last 32 games — and guiding Boston past Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Miami in his en route to the NBA Finals. The Celtics lost the title series to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
