Nia Long can vividly remember the moment that sent shockwaves through the sports world in September, when her longtime partner, Celtics coach Ime Udoka, was suspended by the organization over an alleged affair.
“I literally felt like my heart had jumped out of my body,” Long recounted of the media onslaught in a new interview published Thursday by The Hollywood Reporter.
Udoka, who helped lead the Celtics to an NBA Finals appearance in June, was barred from the team for a year after reportedly engaging in an improper and consensual relationship with a female member of the team staff, violating the franchise’s code of conduct. Long, 52, says the recent events have been “devastating” for their 11-year-old son, Kez, whom the actress took out of school as news of the scandal emerged.
“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 said.
“It was devastating, and it still is. He still has moments where it’s not easy for him. If you’re in the business of protecting women — I’m sorry, no one from the Celtics organization has even called to see if I’m OK, to see if my children are OK. It’s very disappointing.”
Udoka, 45, joined the Celtics in 2021 after serving as an assistant coach for the Nets a year prior. Long, who got engaged to Udoka in 2015, supported Boston throughout its playoff run, frequently taking to social media to cheer on the Celtics.
Although Long did not elaborate on the status of her relationship with Udoka to The Hollywood Reporter, she spoke about the outpouring of support she received following Udoka’s alleged dalliances.
“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.
Udoka, who was linked to the Nets’ head coaching job in October following Steve Nash’s ouster, apologized to his loved ones in a statement following his suspension for the 2022-23 season.
“I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down,” Udoka said. “I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team’s decision. Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment.”
Reps for the Celtics did not immediately return The Post’s request for comment.
