The Boston Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the 2022-23 season, citing “violations of team policies.”
The suspension, effective immediately, comes after reports Udoka was in a consensual intimate relationship with a woman employed by the franchise.
In a statement to ESPN, Udoka apologized and said he accepted the team’s decision.
Udoka has coached the Celtics for one season, leading the organization since former head coach Brad Stevens left the role to become president of basketball operations. He oversaw the teams Eastern Conference championship and a failed NBA Finals bid against the Golden State Warriors.
The Celtics have tapped assistant coach Joe Mazzulla to serve as interim head coach, ESPN reported, citing sources. The team’s top assistant coach, Will Hardy, left the team in June for a head coaching job with the Utah Jazz.
The Celtics, who have won 17 NBA titles, are the fifth most valuable franchise in the league, at $3.55 billion, according to Forbes.