By Adekunle Dada

The Head coach of Boston Celtic, Ime Udoka is reportedly set to face serious disciplinary action for violating the franchise’s code of conduct by having an improper, intimate and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff, The Athletic reports.

The 45-year-old Nigerian has been married to Hollywood actress Nia Long since 2010.

Udoka’s relationship with the staff was considered a violation of the organization’s guidelines, and a decision on the length of that suspension is expected to come on Thursday.

No final decision has been made, but internal discussions have included scenarios that would keep Udoka out for the entirety of the 2022-23 season but his job is not in jeopardy.

Udoka’s top assistant coach, Will Hardy, left to become coach of the Utah Jazz, and another Jazz finalist, Celtics assistant Joe Mazzulla, would likely be in serious consideration for an interim role, according to a report by ESPN.

He joined the Celtics last summer after spending time with the San Antonio Spurs, Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets as an assistant coach following his NBA playing career.

Udoka replaced Brad Stevens as coach. Stevens moved upstairs to be Boston’s president of basketball operations after his predecessor in that job, Danny Ainge, chose to leave the organization.

In his first season as coach, Udoka oversaw a remarkable turnaround in Boston, one that saw the Celtics go from being under .500 in late January to closing the season with a 28-7 record over their final 35 games.

They then performed an impressive run through the Eastern Conference playoffs, advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in 12 years.

Udoka is the fifth coach in the past 25 years to reach the NBA Finals in his first season as a head coach, and the first since Nick Nurse in 2019.