Udoka suspension 'well warranted': Celtics owner

LOS ANGELES: Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck said Friday (Sep 23) the NBA team's one-season suspension of coach Ime Udoka was "well warranted and appropriate".

Grousbeck and Celtics executive Brad Stevens offered no further details in a press conference on the team policy violations that led to Udoka's ban.

But Grousbeck said the punishment was the result of a months-long investigation by an independent law firm, brought in after the Celtics learned of what he called a "situation" affecting the franchise.

"I personally feel that this is well warranted and appropriate, backed by substantial research and evidence and facts, and so I'm standing by the decision and Ime has accepted it," Grousbeck said.

Grousbeck cited privacy reasons in declining to comment on reports by ESPN, The Athletic and other US media outlets that Udoka had an improper intimate relationship with a female member of the Celtics staff, violating the club's code of conduct.

"I'm not going to comment on the investigation, but we found there was enough there to take action," Grousbeck said, adding that no one else in the organization is facing penalty or reprimand.

Grousbeck said the decision to suspend Udoka, rather than fire him, for "multiple violations" of team policies "felt right."

"There's no clear guidelines for any of this," he said. "This is really a conscience and gut feel and being here 20 years and I'm responsible for the decision, ultimately.

"It was clear that something substantial needed to be done, in my view, and it was."

- Players 'very concerned' -

There is still no certainty that Udoka will coach the club again after his suspension ends on June 30, 2023.

In announcing the punishment the team said that decision would be made at a later date, and