Nia Long chided the Celtics on Wednesday over the “irresponsible” way the organization handled the fallout of the alleged affair involving her now-former partner, embattled coach Ime Udoka.
One day after news emerged of her breakup with Udoka, the 52-year-old “The Best Man: The Final Chapters” actress stepped out for the film’s premiere in Hollywood, where she spoke to Entertainment Tonight about the “incredibly difficult” matter, which became public earlier this year.
“I think it’s been incredibly difficult for me to manage all of that while working and trying to be a mom – I’m trying to find the humanity in all of it,” Long expressed.
Long’s world was rocked in September when the 45-year-old Udoka, her fiancé since 2015, was accused of engaging in an improper and consensual relationship with a female member of the Celtics’ staff. He was then suspended by the organization for the 2022-23 season, less than six months after he led Boston to an NBA Finals appearance.
Long, who shares an 11-year-old son with Udoka, shared how she believed her family’s well-being wasn’t taken into account when the apparent incident became publicized.
“It feels like no one thought of me, of my children. There was no protection. I think the Celtics were irresponsible and it was hurtful,” Long said.
“It really was, because we were welcomed in as family and then it’s like, ‘Well, what happened?’ But I’m figuring it out.”
“I think the most heartbreaking thing about all of this was seeing my son’s face when the Boston Celtics organization decided to make a very private situation public,” Long told the publication in an interview, which was published last week.
Long, who cheered on Udoka and the Celtics during their playoff push, also told The Hollywood Reporter how grateful she was for the support she received from fans.
“What I found was this tribe of women and men who were standing up for me in a way that felt like I was in this bubble of protection, and that was very comforting,” she said.
A source exclusively confirmed Tuesday to People that Long and Udoka had ended their 13-year relationship. The insider said Nia “is focusing on her children and rebuilding her life.”
The Celtics did not immediately return The Post’s request for comment.
