Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Charles Curtis

Everything we know so far in the reported Ime Udoka, Celtics relationship scandal

If you’re waking up Thursday morning to see reports of Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka allegedly engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a staffer that could result in a long suspension, you may want to know what’s going on here.

Udoka took over as the team’s head coach last season and led the franchise all the way to the NBA Finals.

So let’s have a look at the reporting that Udoka had a relationship with someone in the Celtics organization, one that violates franchise rules and that could lead to him being suspended for a while.

Let’s break down what we know so far:

The initial report is that he's facing "disciplinary action"

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had this to report: A relationship he had — “consensual, intimate” were the words he used — with a woman on the Celtics staff.

The suspension he faces could be long

The word Wojnarowski used was “significant.” Here’s more:

The relationship was considered a violation of the organization’s guidelines, and a decision on the length of that suspension is expected to come as soon as Thursday, sources said. While no final decision has been made, internal discussions have included scenarios that would keep Udoka out for the entirety of the 2022-23 season, sources said.

It isn’t believed that Udoka’s job is in jeopardy, sources said.

Further reporting added it was "improper"

This is from The Athletic’s Shams Charania:

Brad Stevens didn't talk about Udoka's violation of team rules on Wednesday

Udoka has been in a relationship with actress Nia Long for a while

She rooted him on hard during the Celtics’ run last season. Long and Udoka apparently met in 2010 while he was an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs, got engaged in 2015. They have a son, Kez.

No word on their current relationship status, but Long did wish him a happy birthday last month on Twitter:

It sounds like Stevens wouldn't come out of the front office to coach if Udoka's suspended

Woj cites assistant Joe Mazzulla as the possible replacement during the interim.

 

It's possible he could resign first

 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.