Ime Udoka

Udoka, who coached the Celtics to the NBA Finals last season, could receive a 'significant' suspension.

Free-agent signing [Danilo Gallinari](/nba/players/1622533/danilo-gallinari/) tore his ACL while playing for the Italian National Team. [NBA](/nba). Udoka had an "improper, intimate and consensual relationship" with a female staff member that violated the team's code of conduct, [The Athletic's Shams Charania](https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1572810579105939457) reported late Wednesday.

The Boston Celtics are planning to discipline coach Ime Udoka because of an improper relationship with a member of the organization.

The Celtics lost the title series to the Golden State Warriors in six games. If Udoka is not allowed to lead the team, the task would almost certainly fall to one of his assistants. The network and the Athletic later reported that the Celtics’ investigation revolves around whether Udoka had an inappropriate relationship with a member of the organization.

The Boston head coach is facing a potential year-long suspension for violation of organizational guidelines.

In his first year with the Celtics, Udoka guided Boston to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010. Udoka was hired prior to the start of last season. While Joe Mazzulla, a top assistant under Udoka, is expected to be named interim coach in Udoka’s absence, there are wide-sweeping ramifications to Udoka potentially resigning and exiting the organization.

Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will likely be at the helm for the 2022-23 season.

Free-agent signing [Danilo Gallinari](/nba/players/1622533/danilo-gallinari/) tore his ACL while playing for the Italian National Team. [NBA](/nba). Udoka allegedly had an "improper, intimate and consensual relationship" with a female staff member that violated the team's code of conduct, [The Athletic's Shams Charania](https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1572810579105939457) reported late Wednesday.

The former Celtics forward doesn't agree with recent reports of the coach's potential punishment.

The 2021–22 season marked Udoka’s first season as Celtics coach. Pierce, a 10-time All-Star, played for Boston from 1998–2013, helping the Celtics to an NBA title in ’08. [Clippers President Gives Update on Kawhi Leonard’s Recovery](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/09/22/clippers-update-kawhi-leonard-injury-status-before-training-camp?utm_source=recommendations&utm_medium=in-article&utm_campaign=end-of-story) [Reports: Pistons Trade With Utah Jazz, Acquire Bojan Bogdanović](https://www.si.com/nba/video/2022/09/22/reports-pistons-trade-with-utah-jazz-acquire-bojan-bogdanovi%C4%87?utm_source=recommendations&utm_medium=in-article&utm_campaign=end-of-story) [Report: Mazzulla Likely to Coach Celtics If Udoka Is Suspended](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/09/22/joe-mazzulla-likely-to-coach-celtics-if-ime-udoka-is-suspended-report?utm_source=recommendations&utm_medium=in-article&utm_campaign=end-of-story) [Celtics Waive Former First-Round Pick, Might They Fill That Roster Spot with More Traditional Center?](https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/celtics-waive-former-first-round-pick-might-they-fill-that-roster-spot-with-more-traditional-center?utm_source=recommendations&utm_medium=in-article&utm_campaign=end-of-story) [ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski](https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1572949764349767682) on Thursday revealed that [Udoka is expected to be suspended](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/09/22/ime-udoka-facing-suspension-for-relationship-with-staffer-per-report) for the entire 2022–23 season, although nothing has been made official by the team. [Celtics](https://www.si.com/nba/team/boston-celtics) coach Ime Udoka’s future is still in question after [The Athletic’s Shams Charania](https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1572810579105939457?s=20&t=P7U4FejXPsunhqQac4ZWBQ) reported Wednesday night that Udoka had an [“improper intimate and consensual relationship”](https://www.si.com/nba/2022/09/22/celtics-ime-udoka-had-improper-relationship-with-female-staffer-per-report) with a female member of the team’s staff.

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is likely to be suspended for having an improper relationship with a member of the organization, two sources say.

The Celtics lost the title series to the Golden State Warriors in six games. [to suspend Robert Sarver](https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2022-09-15/donald-sterling-saga-helps-show-how-to-remove-suns-owner-robert-sarver) — the owner of the Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury — for one year and fine him $10 million after an investigation showed his pattern of disturbing workplace conduct, including abusive and racist language. But last month, Gallinari tore the ACL in his left knee and will be lost for the season. The Celtics open training camp on Tuesday. ESPN first reported Wednesday night that a suspension was under consideration for the team policy violation. The exact punishment, including the length of the possible suspension, has not been determined.