The Boston Celtics have had to deal with a handful of injury news to both Danilo Gallinari and Robert Williams III this offseason and are now dealing with internal drama surrounding head coach Ime Udoka.
On Wednesday night, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that he faces disciplinary action expected to include significant suspension for an unspecified violation of organizational guidelines.
Udoka, who just finished his first season with the Celtics and led the team to the NBA Finals, is not expected to be fired or “on the bench,” but the length of his next suspension for this violation is expected to be be more than a couple of games.
As Wojnarowski points out, Boston’s top assistant coach Will Hardy left to become coach of the Utah Jazz this offseason, which would likely mean assistant Joe Mazzulla would be in serious consideration for an interim role in Udoka’s absence.
According to The Charania of the False ones of the AthleticUdoka had an “improper intimate and consensual relationship” with a female member of the team’s staff, which is considered a violation of the franchise’s code of conduct.
The Celtics finished the 2021-22 regular season with a 51-31 record after going just 25-25 in 50 games on the year. Boston was able to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010, only to lose in six games to the Golden State Warriors.
Gearing up for training camp and the upcoming 2022-23 season, this is a huge blow for the Celtics, a team entering the new year as the “team to beat” in the Eastern Conference, a conference that has gotten much better as far as to talent. than in last year.
The Boston Celtics continue to make headlines this NBA offseason for all the wrong reasons and now, right before the start of training camp and the 2022-23 season, the Celtics have a lot of negative energy around them.