Udoka's fiancé Nia Long reacts to suspension and affair
The Celtics knew about the affair back in July. However, Long only found out about it the last few days ago
The Boston Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 season due to him violating team policies which include a reported intimate relationship with a female member of the franchise's staff.
Udoka is engaged to actress Nia Long, and according to TMZ, Long was blindsided by the incident despite the team knowing about it months ago after doing an investigation.
Long reportedly moved to Boston with her 10-year-old son with Udoka two weeks ago, and the couple was looking for a home.
TMZ reported that when Long moved to Boston, Udoka was already aware that his affair with a married front office staffer was about to go public.
The Celtics knew about the affair back in July. However, Long only found out about it the last few days ago only because Udoka knew it was about to blow up.
"The outpouring of love and support from family, friends and the community during this difficult time means so much to me," Long told TMZ through her rep Shannon Barr. "I ask that my privacy be respected as I process the recent events. Above all, I am a mother and will continue to focus on my children."
.Udoka and Long have been together for over 10 years and got engaged in 2015.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Nia Long posted a mysterious video to her Instagram story, the same day that Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that her long-term partner, Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka, had been accused of having an "improper intimate and consensual relationship" with a female staff member.
The video, which featured sunshine striking the trees in a lush forest and an accompanying message focusing on finding light after "darkness," was first published on September 9 by the healing and wellness-focused account Omology.
"When you see people change their whole life and start walking down a path of enlightenment, hugging trees, connecting with nature, loving themselves, embracing positivity, letting that light shine, understand one thing: that light that you see, understand one thing about that light: they had to go into the darkness to get it," the video said.
"No shadow, no light, know shadow, know light."
Having first linked up in 2010, Long, 51, and Udoka, 45, are parents to a son. Long supported Udoka during the Celtics' late-May playoff run, which included a matchup with the Warriors in the NBA Finals.
However, according to Bally Sports' Brandon Robinson, the couple "had been separated" before the latest occurrences.
