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USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

Before taking up his head coach role with the Houston Rockets, Ime Udoka had a small stint with the Boston Celtics. Even though it was a small stint, he took them to their first Finals after 12 years. The Celts hired the 46-year-old in June 2021 and he helped the side reach the 2022 Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Unfortunately, the team couldn’t win the season, and following that Udoka lost his place in the Celtics management over a controversy.

After his exit in 2022, Udoka will face the Celtics for the first time in the Saturday night encounter in Boston. As he is all set to return to the TD Garden after all the controversies, he opened up about his feelings following the Detroit Pistons game.

Udoka violated multiple policies laid down by the management and was suspended in September 2022. Now, as he was all set to get on the flight to land in Boston, he said, “Overall I’d say I’m not too sentimental a person, so I’m not too worried about it,” reported Sean Grande.

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Ime Udoka has been quite a revelation when it comes to the head coach role. Within a year, he took the Celtics to the NBA Finals and gave a tough fight for the Dubs. Similarly, in his current stint with the Rockets – a team that has struggled in the recent past – he has kept the team afloat for playoff contention.

While there is no question about his coaching ability, the question falls on his temperament, in handling an uncomfortable situation. After the win against the Pistons, Udoka responded to the tough question about his return to Boston.

This isn’t the only controversy that Udoka is set to address. He has earlier stirred up the NBA world a few weeks back when he was ejected out of the game, after an ugly banter with LeBron James.

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Let’s find out the reason behind Udoka’s suspension.

Ime Udoka’s suspension – a look back

The Celtics management took the NBA world by storm after suspending a successful coach in September 2022. The team revealed that he was suspended on the grounds of violating the team’s policies.

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While the reason behind the suspension was unclear, ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Udoka allegedly had an inappropriate workspace relationship with a woman and used crude language at her.

Udoka in his statement said, “. I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”

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What do you make of the Udoka’s suspension from the Boston side? Let us know in the comments.