Reports: Celtics’ Udoka faces possible lengthy suspension for improper relationship with staffer

The Boston Celtics’ push to return to the NBA Finals and take one more step is stumbling out of the gate.

Celtics’ coach Ime Udoka faces a possible “significant” suspension for an alleged violation of the team code of conduct by having a consensual but improper intimate relationship with a member of the Celtics staff, according to multiple reports.

From Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN:

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is facing disciplinary action that is expected to include a significant suspension for an unspecified violation of organizational guidelines, sources told ESPN on Wednesday night. The Celtics are expected to come to a decision on the length of that suspension as soon as Thursday, but it isn’t believed that Udoka’s job is in jeopardy, sources said.

Woj then added that Udoka could be out for the entire season.

No final decision has been made on the length of a suspension, but internal discussions have included scenarios that would keep Udoka out for the entirety of the 2022-2023 season, sources told ESPN. https://t.co/Vnn2wWVcKA

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 22, 2022

Shams Charania of The Athletic filled in the details.

Celtics coach Ime Udoka had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. It’s been deemed a violation of franchise’s code of conduct.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2022

It’s unclear who would take over interim coaching duties and run training camp during the suspension. However, Woj suggests it could be Joe Mazzulla, but also on staff are Damon Stoudamire, Ben Sullivan, Aaron Miles and Tony Dobbins.

Udoka was Brad Stevens’ hire to replace himself when Stevens jumped up to the front office,