Celtics Coach Udoka Potentially Facing Significant Suspension, per Report

Boston’s coach reportedly may see disciplinary action for violating organizational guidelines.

Celtics head coach Ime Udoka could reportedly face potential disciplinary action, including a serious suspension, for violating team rules, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Currently, the franchise is contemplating a suspension for Udoka and a length for the punishment could come as soon as Thursday. However, Udoka’s job is not believed to be in jeopardy, according to Wojnarowski. 

The Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach confirmed Wojnarowski’s initial report.

If Udoka faces a suspension, Celtics assistant Joe Mazzulla would be expected to emerge as a favorite for the team’s interim role, per Wojnarowski. Will Hardy, Udoka's former assistant, left Boston to become the head coach of the Jazz in June. 

Udoka took over before last season following Danny Ainge’s retirement and Brad Stevens’s moving into the Celtics’ front office as president of basketball operations. He led the team to a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. 

The play of Boston’s dynamic duo featuring Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, along with a strong defensive unit ignited the Celtics to their first NBA Finals appearance in 12 years. Udoka became the fifth coach in the last 25 years to make an appearance in the NBA Finals in his first season and the first since the Raptors’ Nick Nurse in 2019, per ESPN.

Boston is slated to begin training camp Tuesday.

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