In a moment that has sent ripples across the NBA landscape, Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has reacted in visible shock and disbelief to a critical and revealing report issued by former Celtics head coach Ime Udoka, now the head coach of the Houston Rockets. The report, which was made public during an exclusive sit-down interview with NBA Weekly Confidential, shed light on what Udoka described as “deep-rooted internal challenges and questionable leadership decisions” within the Celtics organization—particularly during and after his controversial exit in 2022.

 

While Mazzulla has generally avoided engaging in public drama during his tenure, this particular report appears to have struck a nerve. According to sources present during Mazzulla’s media availability at the Auerbach Center practice facility, the young head coach was “caught completely off guard” by the details and tone of Udoka’s statements, which many are now calling one of the most candid and cutting reflections by a former coach about a championship-contending franchise.

 

The Ime Udoka Report: Unfiltered, Unapologetic, and Unexpected

Ime Udoka’s exit from Boston in 2022 shocked the basketball world. After leading the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his first season, he was suspended—and ultimately dismissed—for violating team policies involving an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Though the Celtics moved swiftly to promote then-assistant Joe Mazzulla as interim head coach (later made permanent), Udoka remained largely silent about the details of his departure—until now.

 

In the new report, Udoka didn’t focus on his personal misconduct. Instead, he delivered a scathing assessment of how the Celtics’ front office and leadership handled the transition, as well as commentary on what he called “cracks in the foundation” of the organization that go beyond one incident.

 

“What happened off the court was my responsibility. I take that on the chin,” Udoka said. “But let’s not pretend like everything around me was perfect. There were issues—cultural, strategic, even in how leadership decisions were made behind closed doors.”

 

Udoka also pointed out that he felt “thrown under the bus” by certain members of the front office and hinted that the players were “conflicted and confused” during the coaching change.

 

“Some of those guys in the locker room didn’t know who to listen to. One day I’m there, the next day it’s Joe, who they respected, but hadn’t led a team before. That’s a tough situation to walk into.”