Celtics Coach Ime Udoka Has No Intention To Resign

Celtics coach Ime Udoka does not intend to resign despite a looming suspension that could last a full season, per Chris Haynes of TNT.

According to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe, Udoka is about to be suspended for the season following a reported inappropriate relationship with a female employee. The relationship was consensual, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Nonetheless, it was a “deemed a violation of the franchise’s code of conduct,” Charania added.

Udoka has been an NBA head coach for one season, guiding the Celtics to a 51-31 record and a Finals berth in Year One. He’s still scheduled to meet with reporters for Media Day on Monday. The Celtics open training camp the next day.

The Celtics have yet to comment or release a statement on the situation.

Assistant Joe Mazzulla will serve as interim head coach in Udoka’s absence, per multiple reports.

Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka will not be resigning from his position as he awaits sanction from the organization, league sources tell @NBAonTNT.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) September 22, 2022

Udoka arrived in Boston after one season as an assistant under Steve Nash with the Nets. He served as an assistant with the 76ers in 2019-20, and for seven years with Gregg Popovich and the Spurs before that.

Prior to his coaching career, Udoka was a small forward with the Lakers in 2004, then spent time with the Knicks, Trail Blazers, Spurs and Kings from 2006-11. He also played professionally overseas.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Udoka “became the first rookie coach to win multiple Game 7s in his first postseason,” ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote.