A timeline of everything we know about the Ime Udoka situation
Celtics head coach reportedly had an 'improper intimate and consensual relationship' with a female member of Boston's staff
After it was reported that Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka was facing disciplinary action for a violation of the organization’s guidelines, a report surfaced that he engaged in an unprofessional intimate and consensual relationship with a female staff member.
Here is everything we know about the situation as it stands right now.
Thursday, 9:24 p.m. ET: Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will be taking over as the Celtics interim head coach, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported.
Thursday, 9:23 p.m. ET: Udoka was suspended for the entirety of the 2022-23 season, the team announced. “The Boston Celtics announced today that the team has suspended Head Coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season for violations of team policies,” a statement read. “A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension takes effect immediately.”
Thursday, 6:38 p.m. ET: President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens learned about Udoka’s relationship with the female staff member a few days ago, Wojnarowski reported. His report also stated that the team will announce Udoka’s suspension on Thursday night, which would be for the entirety of the 2022-23 season.
Thursday, 4:55 p.m. ET: Udoka will not be resigning as head coach and plans to face any penalties that are handed down to him from the organization, Chris Haynes of NBA on TNT reports.
Thursday, 12:10 p.m. ET: Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix reports that Frank Vogel could potentially be added to the Celtics’ coaching staff due to his experience and relationship with Stevens. It wasn’t reported if there was any traction on a move that brings Vogel to Boston.
Thursday, 11:46 a.m. ET: Allison Feaster, who serves as the vice president of player development and organizational growth, plays zero role in the situation at hand, according to Marc J. Spears of ESPN. Feaster’s name had been coming up on social media amid the influx of speculation.
Thursday, 11:46 a.m. ET: Mannix reports that Udoka is considering resigning as Celtics head coach.
Thursday, 10:03 a.m. ET: Mazzulla is in line to take over for Udoka as Boston’s interim head coach, according to a report by Wojnarowski.
Thursday, 10:02 a.m. ET: It is likely that Udoka will be suspended for the entire 2022-23 season, according to a report by Wojnarowski. A formal announcement is expected to be made later in the day.
Thursday, 1:31 a.m. ET: Wojnarowski reports that the Celtics organization hasn’t determined the length of a potential suspension, but options that would force Udoka to miss the entirety of the 2022-23 season have been put on the table.
Thursday, 12:50 a.m. ET: The Athletic’s Shams Charania reports that Udoka was involved in an “improper intimate and consensual relationship” with a female member of the team staff.
Wednesday, 11:33 p.m. ET: Udoka likely will not lose his job according to Wojnarowski, but a suspension could be handed down as soon as Thursday.
Wednesday, 11:20 p.m. ET: On a late-night edition of SportsCenter, Wojnarowski says that the issue at hand is being handled internally within the Celtics’ organization and that the league is not involved. Details on the length of a potential suspension could be released within the next 24-48 hours.
Wednesday, 10:35 p.m. ET: Wojnarowski reports that Udoka could be disciplined for a violation of the organization’s guidelines. The report notes that he could potentially face a lengthy suspension, and there are talks within the organization itself regarding the best course of action.
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