ESPN NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski dropped a “Woj bomb” on Wednesday night with news about Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka.
Wojnarowski reports that Udoka is “facing possible disciplinary action – including a significant suspension – for an unspecified violation of organizational guidelines.”
“Discussions are ongoing within the Celtics on a final determination,” according to Wojnarowski.
Wojnarowski followed up an hour with a tweet saying that Udoka’s “job isn’t believed to be in jeopardy, but a suspension is looming and a final determination on the length could come as soon as Thursday.”
Udoka, 45, led the Celtics to a surprising NBA Finals run in the 2021-22 season (after going 51-31 in the regular season), which was his first season as an NBA head coach. He was an assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs from 2012-19, the Philadelphia 76ers from 2019-20, and the Brooklyn Nets from 2020-21. He also played seven seasons in the NBA, with the Portland Trail Blazers (2006-07), the Spurs (2007-09, 2010-11), and the Sacramento Kings (2009-10).
The details are very, very vague at this point. But if a “significant suspension” is being discussed, well, that can’t be good.
The Wojnarowski tweet certainly has the NBA world talking- and wondering.
Here’s a look at how basketball fans are reacting to the Wojnarowski report of Udoka violating organizational guidelines and facing a possible “significant suspension”:
UPDATE: Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reports that Ime Udoka “had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff.”
UPDATE II: Adrian Wojnarowski adds, “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.”