By JIMMY GOLEN and TIM REYNOLDS
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics have suspended Ime Udoka for a full yr, banning the coach who led them to the NBA Finals final spring for all the 2022-23 season over what two folks with data of the matter stated was an improper relationship with a member of the group.
The folks spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of the group didn't reveal that element publicly. In an announcement issued Thursday evening after a full day of wrangling over the phrases of the punishment, the Celtics stated Udoka violated group insurance policies and left open the likelihood that a longer separation may comply with.
“A call about his future with the Celtics past this season will likely be made at a later date,” the group stated.
Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will take over as interim coach, one of many individuals who spoke with The AP stated. The defending Jap Convention champions are scheduled to carry media day on Monday and open coaching camp on Tuesday in preparation for the Oct. 18 season opener.
In an announcement revealed by ESPN, Udoka apologized “to our gamers, followers, all the Celtics group, and my household for letting them down.”
“I'm sorry for placing the group on this troublesome scenario, and I settle for the group’s determination,” he stated. “Out of respect for everybody concerned, I'll haven't any additional remark.”
A longtime assistant in his first NBA head teaching job, Udoka led Boston to a 51-31 file final season — going 26-6 within the closing 32 video games. The Celtics beat Brooklyn, Milwaukee and Miami on the best way to the NBA Finals, the place they misplaced to the Golden State Warriors in six video games.
The developments surprised the NBA and shook up a group that had been among the many favorites to contend for a championship this season. It will be an unprecedented 18th title for the franchise.
However in Boston, the story was harking back to the shakeup throughout city in 2020, when Pink Sox supervisor Alex Cora was suspended by Main League Baseball for a yr for his position in a sign-stealing scandal at his earlier job, with the Houston Astros. As an alternative, the edges parted methods.
After a last-place end underneath Ron Roenicke within the pandemic-shortened season, Cora was re-hired a yr later and welcomed again.
It's unclear if Udoka and the Celtics will likely be as desirous to reunite.
The 45-year-old Udoka spent the majority of his NBA taking part in profession with San Antonio after which joined Spurs coach Gregg Popovich’s employees as an assistant. Udoka was on the Spurs’ employees from 2012 by way of 2019, profitable all of it in ’14, and he rapidly discovered his method onto quick lists for open head teaching jobs.
He spent the 2019-20 season in Philadelphia and the 2020-21 season in Brooklyn earlier than the Celtics employed him in June 2021 because the successor to Brad Stevens — who moved as much as the entrance workplace. In 12 months 1, Udoka completed fourth in coach of the yr voting and the Celtics got here inside two wins of the championship.
“The long run is shiny and we’re simply getting began,” Udoka stated after the NBA Finals.
Maybe not.
The bombshell on the eve of coaching camp is the newest twist heading into what was presupposed to be a promising season for the NBA’s most-decorated franchise.
The Celtics bolstered their runner-up roster by buying guard Malcolm Brogdon in a commerce from Indiana, then added sharpshooting veteran ahead Danilo Gallinari as a free agent. However final month, Gallinari tore the ACL in his left knee and will likely be misplaced for the approaching season.
Middle Robert Williams, a key a part of the Boston protection scheme who performed by way of accidents throughout final season’s playoffs, continues to be coping with knee soreness and is anticipated to overlook the beginning of the season.
The Celtics have been additionally talked about in hypothesis over a brand new dwelling for Brooklyn ahead Kevin Durant, a perennial All-Star who requested for — after which backed off — a request to be traded. Though the talks amounted to nothing, it raised questions on Boston’s dedication to younger star Jaylen Brown.
It’s additionally the second main disciplinary scenario in as many weeks within the NBA: Commissioner Adam Silver determined final week to droop Robert Sarver — the proprietor of the Phoenix Suns and WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury — for one yr and fantastic him $10 million after an investigation confirmed his sample of disturbing office conduct, together with abusive and racist language. Sarver stated Wednesday he intends to promote his groups.
Mazzulla interviewed for the Utah Jazz teaching job this summer season, a place that finally went to Will Hardy — one other of Udoka’s assistants in Boston final season.
Mazzulla’s solely earlier expertise as a head coach is a two-year stint at Division II’s Fairmont State in West Virginia, the place he went 43-17 and made the NCAA match in his second season. A local New Englander from Rhode Island, Mazzulla performed at West Virginia, was an assistant for the Celtics’ G League group earlier than taking up at Fairmont State, after which obtained employed by the Celtics once more in June 2019 to be a part of Stevens’ employees.
Mazzulla’s final sport at Fairmont State was in opposition to Mercyhurst. His first actual sport with the Celtics will entice a bit extra consideration: Boston is scheduled to host longtime rival Philadelphia within the opener, when they are going to tip off a year-long tribute to Corridor of Famer Invoice Russell.
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Reynolds reported from Miami.
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