The Boston Celtics Ain’t Playing
The Celtics’ head coach, Ime Udoka, has now issued an apology since being suspended for a consensual relationship with a female staff member,
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics 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. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment, per Twitter.
NEW: Statement from Celtics coach Ime Udoka pic.twitter.com/MFutFx7c3l
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) September 23, 2022
Udoka has been suspended for the entire 2022-23 season due to a violation of team policies,
“The Boston Celtics announced today that the team has suspended Head Coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season for violations of team policies,” per Complex.
The Celtics added,
“A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension takes effect immediately.”
Joe Mazzulla will act as the interim head coach until the situation is resolved.
The Celtics have made assistant coach Joe Mazzulla the interim head coach, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 23, 2022
Quick Recap In Our Sports Celebrity News
If you’re a sports fan, you already know Udoka is one of the few Black coaches in the NBA. However, for others, he’s the longtime partner of beloved actress, Nia Long.
The pair met in 2010 when Udoka was an assistant for the San Antonio Spurs. That relationship birthed a son, Kez Sunday Udoka, a year later.
They got engaged in 2015, however, Long said she didn’t plan on getting married in the future. The Best Man alum said during an interview that she’s never seen a marriage “work” and didn’t want to define her relationship with Udoka,
“I don’t feel less loved or less loving because I’m not married,” she said.
She added,
“I worked hard to have the career I wanted, but I’ve also been deliberate about my personal life. None of this is a mistake.”
Long said that she and Udoka wouldn’t be heading down the aisle anytime soon in 2012 in an interview with Essence.
“Marriage is not a priority for me. I’m not saying I’ll never do it; It’s just not where we are as a family, she said.
Last season, the 45-year-old coach led Boston to an Eastern Conference title and NBA finals against the Golden State Warriors with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart.
