16 February 2023 , 15:58
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The Boston Celtics looked to have cut ties with former head coach Ime Udoka following his year-long suspension from the franchise after he was found to have had an intimate relationship with a team staffer.
Udoka, who had been in a 13-year relationship with film star Nia Long, issued an apology after the suspension was handed out. He was reportedly given the opportunity to resign from his role, but chose not to.
Udoka and Long have one son together and their engagement was called off in December with the actress recently telling reporters that she is now 'single'.
ESPN reporter Adrian Wojnarowksi stated that Udoka's role would not be guaranteed amid his return, which has now been shown to be true with his former assistant Joe Mazzulla being given the role permanently.
Mazzulla has been excellent in relief of Udoka, leading the Celtics to the top seed in the eastern conference at the halfway stage, and will be a coach at this weekend's all-star break.
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He has been with the team since 2019, working under Udoka, who had also impressed in his first year as a head coach - leading the Celtics to the NBA finals, where they were defeated by Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors.
But now, Udoka will have to look for a new team, with the Celtics opting to go with Mazzulla for the future, as a statement was released on Thursday.
The statement confirmed "Mazzulla replaces Ime Udoka", with the team not making any further comment on Udoka, who is still technically employed by the franchise.
The new Boston Celtics head coach Joe MazzullaUdoka was only appointed by the Celtics in June 2021 as he succeeded Brad Stevens, who halted his coaching career to become the team's general manager.
Udoka has been a highly-respected coach in the league circles since 2012, after playing for San Antonio Spurs for the majority of his career, he then joined their coaching staff in 2012, where he remained for seven years before stints with the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets.
Earlier this season, Udoka was heavily linked to become the Nets new head coach while suspended by the Celtics, but the franchise received backlash for considering him and instead chose to appoint internal coach Jacque Vaughn.
Mazzulla becomes just the 19th man to be the head coach of the storied NBA franchise, as the Celtics will be strong contenders to win their 19th championship - and their first in 15 years.