Discipline Delivered: Ime Udoka Suspended; Offers His Own Statement

The word has come down: the Boston Celtics have suspended second-year head coach Ime Udoka for the entirety of the 2022-23 season.

In handing down the punishment, the Celtics added that a decision about Udoka's future with the team beyond this season will be made "at a later date".

Udoka has also issued his own statement in response to the scandal: 

"I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire organization, and my family for letting them down. I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team's decision." 

The suspension is for "a violation of team policies," which has been reported to be a consensual sexual relationship with a Celtics team employee. Rumors have started to make the rounds, thanks to former NBA player Richard Jefferson, that perhaps the relationship wasn't so "consensual."

Many have also been wondering why the details of Udoka's transgressions have leaked out... 

Will he be back next season? Again, the Celtics say a decision on that will come "at a later date." There was a story making the rounds earlier on Thursday that Udoka has considered resigning, though there's been some pushback from others on that possibility.  

Camp opens on Monday; not exactly the way the Celtics wanted to kick off their season. 

The Celtics will be naming assistant Joe Mazzulla as the 'interim' head coach for the 2022-23 season, while other reports have surfaced that they could also bring in a recent championship coach to assist. 

Photos: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports