Nia Long’s Fiance Ime Udoka Facing Suspension From NBA: Report

Nia Long‘s fiancé, Ime Udoka, is reportedly facing a year-long suspensionFrom the NBA for “improper” conduct with a member of the Boston Celtics team staff.

The Celtics head coach, 45, allegedly had an “intimate and consensual relationship with a female member” of the organization, according to a Thursday, September 22, report from The Athletic‘s Shams Charania. The alleged relationship is reportedly a violation of the franchise’s code of conduct, which is why Udoka is facing disciplinary action.

ESPN‘s Adrian WojnarowskiAccording to reports, Udoka could face suspension for the entire 2022/23 NBA season. Joe Mazzulla is expected to become the team’s interim coach in his stead.

After having worked as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers, Udoka was hired to be Udoka’s head coach in June 2021. The Sacramento Kings star led the Celtics to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010. However, the team lost the championship against the Golden State Warriors.

The former basketball player and the NCIS: Los AngelesThe 51-year-old alum has been in a relationship with Long since 2010. The duo got engaged in 2015, but Long has said that she’s not a big fan of marriage.

“Love is complicated, let’s just start there,” the Fatal AffairStar spoke on December 2020 during an interview Essence‘s “Yes, Girl!” podcast. “And then you start a marriage, which I’ve never been married. And there’s a reason for that, because I don’t know that I need to say, ‘I do’ to prove to you that I love you.”

The New York City native added that she understands why other couples choose to tie the knot, but it’s not something that’s important to her. “I understand the religious aspect of marriage,” she explained. “That is beautiful and it’s fantastical and it’s dreamy and it’s every girl’s fantasy to have that moment. But I don’t know that I need that to feel like I’m in a partnership that’s working.”

Kez, a 10-year-old boy, was welcomed by Long and Udoka in 2011. The Bel-Air: The Fresh PrinceThe alum also shares son Massai (21), with ex Massai Z. Dorsey.

TheTake a look at both sides actress gushed over her fiancé in May after he led the Celtics to the playoffs. “Speechless … patience and purpose,” she wrote via Instagram alongside a graphic about Udoka making the finals in his first year as head coach. “#imeudoka #blessedandgrateful.”

Udoka and Long have not publicly commented on reports of his possible suspension. Us Weeklya reached out to comment.