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.
ESPN Sources: Boston Celtics coach Ime 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. pic.twitter.com/1QZb0k326F
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 22, 2022
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.”
Ime Udoka’s job isn’t believed to be in jeopardy, but a suspension is looming and a final determination on that length could come as soon as Thursday, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/x0uWgD5URM
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 22, 2022
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”:
This is the most serious completely vague tweet that I've ever seen.
I have no idea if Udoka missed a flight or killed a coworker. https://t.co/5lKk4kDBoH
— Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) September 22, 2022
I’m at a total loss over this Ime Udoka thing. I have no idea what a coach could do in the offseason that would violate team policy to such a degree as to warrant a significant suspension.
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) September 22, 2022
This account has *never* tweeted about Udoka or the Celtics
Tweeted this an hour before the Woj bomb? What in the hell is happening… https://t.co/M0PLaCZZco
— Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) September 22, 2022
why is there a clip art picture of woj smiling on a tweet that ominous?
— Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) September 22, 2022
This has to be terrible for them to frame it this way and not straight up say what Udoka did https://t.co/xyi4v0O84g
— Gifdsports (@gifdsports) September 22, 2022
Celtics fans seeing the Ime Udoka news: pic.twitter.com/oUEBrifmvq
— Brian (@byysports) September 22, 2022
Brett Favre RT’ing the Udoka and Sarver news from his burners pic.twitter.com/0vJJwJ0eVh
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) September 22, 2022
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.”
Celtics coach Ime Udoka had an improper intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. It’s been deemed a violation of franchise’s code of conduct.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 22, 2022
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.”
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, sources told ESPN. https://t.co/Vnn2wWVcKA
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 22, 2022
