The Boston Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the upcoming NBA season less than a month before the start of the season. The record champion, with whom Udoka had played for the title in the final against the Golden State Warriors at the end of his first season as head coach, cited a violation of internal rules as the reason.
A decision on the future of the 45-year-old will be made at a later date, it said on Thursday. Several US media outlets including ESPN, The Athletic and The Washington Post reported that Udoka had an “inappropriate intimate relationship” with a Celtics employee.
“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 decision,” US media quoted a reaction from Udoka. It is unclear who will take over his position for the duration of the suspension. His assistant Joe Mazzulla is the favorite.
