Celtics' Ime Udoka Reportedly Considering Resigning After Alleged Staff Relationship

Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka has reportedly considered resigning from his position amid allegations that he had a relationship with a female staffer.

According to Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated, the expectation within the Celtics organization is that Udoka will be suspended for the entire 2022-23 season if he doesn't resign first.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski was among the first to report on the possibility of a yearlong suspension due to a "consensual relationship" with a female staffer. Wojnarowski added that the Celtics could make an official announcement as early as Thursday.

If Udoka is either suspended for the entire season or resigns, the expectation is that assistant Joe Mazzulla will serve as the Celtics' interim head coach, per Wojnarowski.

In his first season at the helm in 2021-22, Udoka led the Celtics to a 51-31 regular-season record and then all the way to the NBA Finals before falling 4-2 to the Golden State Warriors.

All-Star Jayson Tatum enjoyed a career year with 26.9 points per game. Jaylen Brown also averaged 23.6 points per game, and Marcus Smart was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year.

The 45-year-old Udoka broke into the NBA as a player in 2003, and he spent seven years in the league with the Los Angeles Lakers, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs and Sacramento Kings.

Udoka transitioned into coaching in 2012 as an assistant with the Spurs and remained with them until 2019, when he took a position with the Philadelphia 76ers. He spent the 2020-21 season with the Brooklyn Nets before getting his big break in Boston.

Regardless of Udoka's status, the Celtics are likely to be strong contenders in the Eastern Conference this season due to the deep and talented roster the front office has assembled.

The 2022-23 regular season will kick off next month, and the Celtics' season opener will be an Oct. 18 home date against the 76ers.