Celtics Coach Ime Udoka Facing Possible Year-Long Suspension

In a shocking report just days before training camp, Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka faces a "significant suspension" that could be as long as the entire season. It's due to "violating organizational guidelines". ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski broke the story.

Another NBA insider, Shams Charania, notes the conduct was an inappropriate sexual relationship.

Charania says that "Udoka had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff."

Udoka is engaged to Hollywood actress Nia Long. 

Woj says the consensual relationship Udoka had with a staff member "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." He added they are considering suspending him for the entire 2022-23 season, though his job is not in jeopardy.

Last season, in his rookie season as a head coach, Udoka led the Celtics to a berth in the NBA Finals—only the 5th coach in the past 25 years to reach the Finals in his first season as a head coach. The last to do it was Nick Nurse in 2019.

The news comes on the heels of Celtics center Robert Williams going down to knee surgery once again, and the loss earlier in the summer of newly-acquired Danilo Gallinari to a season-ending knee injury.

Photos: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports, David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports