Celtics Coach Ime Udoka Facing 'Significant Suspension' For Having Relationship With Female Staff Member: Report

Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is facing a significant suspension by the team for having an "improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff," reports The Athletic / Stadium's Shams Charania. Initial reports stated that Udoka was facing a penalty for violating the team's code of conduct.

The length of Udoka's suspension has not been announced, though early reports believe he could miss the entire 2022-23 season. Celtics assistant coach Joe Mazzulla is expected to fill in as interim coach, should Udoka remain on the team after his suspension.

The team is slated to hold a media day on Monday and tip off training camp on Tuesday. A definite suspension timeline is expected to be announced by the end of this week.

Udoka's partner is actress Nia Long — sources in contact with Bally Sports' Brandon Robinson said that the coach and his partner were separated before he intimately engaged with the female staff member. Robinson also noted that Celtics players were briefed on the situation earlier this week.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Actor Nia Long (L) and Ime Udoka attend BET Presents the American Black Film Festival Honors on February 17, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images )

In his first year as head coach of the Celtics, Udoka led the team to a 51-31 regular season record. Udoka's Celtics faced Golden State in the NBA Finals, losing 4-2 to Steve Kerr and Steph Curry's Warriors.

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(Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

Stay tuned with OutKick as the story develops.