Celtics suspend Ime Udoka for entire 2022-23 season for 'violations of team policies'

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The Boston Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 for ‘violations of team policies’ after he reportedly had an affair with a female staffer in the organization.

The relationship with the staff member "was considered to be a violation of the organization’s guidelines," ESPN reported Wednesday night. The staff member’s role in the franchise was not immediately clear and the person was not identified.

The Celtics released a statement Thursday on their decision.

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Head coach Ime Udoka of the Boston Celtics calls out a play in the fourth quarter against the Golden State Warriors during Game Three of the 2022 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 08, 2022 in Boston, Massachusetts.  (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

"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 decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date. The suspension takes effect immediately," the team said.

Udoka released a separate statement.

"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."

Udoka, 45, has been with actress Nia Long since 2010. Long is known for her roles in "BIg Momma’s House," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" and "Love Jones" among others. The two have one son, and she had a son from a previous relationship.

Long told Essence in 2015 that she had no