The suspension ran through June 30, 2023, and assistant Joe Mazzulla will lead the team as interim coach for the 2022–23 season.

An outside legal firm’s months-long inquiry reveals that Ime Udoka broke several team rules.Owner Wyc Grousbeck announced on Friday that the Boston Celtics, who are currently leading the Eastern Conference, had suspended coach Ime Udoka following a months-long investigation by an outside law firm that identified many violations of team standards but did not indicate a larger culture problem of sexual misconduct.

At a press conference, Grousbeck stated, “We go to great lengths… to run the organization with the central core value of respect and freedom in the workplace from harassment or any unwelcome attention.” I get the strong impression that this is unique. That’s what I personally think. However, I’ll need to confirm that.

Brad Stevens, president of basketball operations, and Grousbeck declined to comment on the details of the infractions or the confidential report that was sent to the team two days prior. However, a someone with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that it involves an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the organization. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because the facts were kept confidential.

One woman was involved in Udoka’s many breaches, a Celtics spokeswoman said on Friday. Grousbeck stated that no other members of the company are being disciplined and that the team would be on guard to ensure that Udoka’s actions do not indicate a more serious issue.

Governor Wyc Grousbeck of the Boston Celtics speaks to the media after Ime Udoka’s one-year suspension.

According to Grousbeck, “I don’t personally think that they’re a deeper signal.” To ensure that this is the case, though, we will be speaking with members of the organization—I myself will be doing so.

Less than a week before the start of training camp for a team regarded as one of the favorites to win it all this season, Udoka—a first-year coach coming off a trip to the NBA Finals—was suspended. The Celtics claim they have not made a decision regarding Udoka’s future after June 30, 2023, when assistant Joe Mazzulla was promoted to interim coach.

When talking about how the issue has affected the team, particularly the women who were singled out on social media as potentially being involved, Stevens became emotional. The group made contact with staff members to extend support.

“There are many gifted ladies in our company. I felt like they were extremely rough on them yesterday,” Stevens remarked. “Rampant [expletive] speculation on Twitter is uncontrollable, but it is our organization’s duty to ensure that they have our support at this time. since many individuals were unjustly forced into such.

According to Grousbeck, the team hired a private legal firm to conduct an investigation as soon as they became aware of the issue earlier this summer. When Grousbeck met with Udoka following receipt of the report, he conveyed “acceptance and appreciation for how this has been handled.”

Grousbeck acknowledged that there is a “significant financial penalty” associated with the ban but would not clarify if it was unpaid. For a professional sports coach, a year-long suspension is unusual but not unheard of; yet, some have questioned whether it was excessive given the lack of information made public regarding Udoka’s actions.

Grousbeck disagreed, pointing out that Udoka had apologized and accepted the sentence.

The owner stated, “I personally feel that this is well-warranted and appropriate, supported by substantial research, evidence, and facts.” It was obvious that a significant action was required. And it did.

Mazzulla,34, captained West Virginia to victory in the 2007 NIT tournament and an upset victory over Duke, seeded ninth, in the NCAA tournament the following year. His two years as Division II Fairmont State’s head coach in West Virginia from 2017 to 2019 were his only head coaching experience.

Joe is going to take the lead. Stevens stated, “He’s a very talented and sharp individual, but it’s not easy timing for him or the rest of the staff. He never really considered going back to the bench himself.” “I’m really confident in the team and the coaching staff that will take the court on Tuesday, but this will be an incredible challenge.” Although it’s not what we anticipated, I have a lot of faith in them.