NBA: Boston Celtics suspend coach Ime Udoka for full season

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Ime Udoka (in June NBA Finals)

Photo: Steven Senne/AP

The Boston Celtics are actually considered one of the up-and-coming teams in the Eastern Conference of the North American professional league NBA.

The team was just in the final series.

There it was a clear defeat against the Golden State Warriors - but the trend for the young Celtics seemed to point clearly upwards.

That was also due to the man on the sidelines: head coach Ime Udoka.

In his first year, he surprisingly led the team until shortly before winning the title.

Now, however, the 45-year-old is at the center of a scandal that is pushing the team's sporting prospects into the background for the time being.

As it became known during the night, the Celtics have suspended their own coach for the entire coming season.

There were already rumors yesterday.

In the meantime, it seems almost certain that the substantial penalty is related to Udoka's relationship with a Celtic employee.

Several well-informed NBA insiders have made this version public.

Accordingly, it should be a consensual, intimate relationship.

In doing so, Udoka violated team rules.

Assistant coach to take over

The Celtics and Udoka themselves have not publicly commented on the reasons.

The coach apologized in a letter "to the players, fans and the entire Celtics organization".

He put the team in a difficult position and accept the club's decision.

According to the current status, Udoka has not violated the law with his behavior.

Apparently he could return as a coach after serving a suspension.

For the time being, assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will probably take over the coaching post.

The NBA season starts on October 18th.

The Philadelphia 76ers play in the first game.

Your opponent: the Boston Celtics.

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