Former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka is returning to the NBA sidelines.
Udoka, who was suspended for the entire 2022-23 season following an improper relationship with a subordinate employee, has been hired by the Rockets as their new head coach, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
After leading the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first season at the helm, Udoka was suspended just ahead of Boston’s training camp in September due to what the team called a “violation of team policies.”
Joe Mazzulla was appointed as the Celtics’ interim head coach, with Boston eventually dismissing Udoka in February after tabbing Mazzulla as the team’s permanent head coach and signing him to an extension.