Twitter throws its full support behind Nia Long over alleged Ime Udoka affair

As news broke Wednesday evening that Celtics coach Ime Udoka had allegedly engaged in an “improper intimate and consensual relationship” with a female staff member, many took to Twitter to air their thoughts on the matter — with some drawing their attention to the coach’s longtime partner, actress Nia Long.

Long, who has been linked to Udoka since 2010, supported the Celtics during their playoff run this past spring, when they reached the NBA Finals. Some Twitter users looked to the six-game series versus the Warriors when weighing in on current events.

“How you fumble a 2-1 lead AND Nia Long in the same year…,” one fan remarked, referencing Boston’s brief edge over Golden State before the latter took the title.

Nia Long attends the ESSENCE 15th Anniversary Black Women In Hollywood Awards in March 2022. Getty Images Celtics coach Ime Udoka during the NBA Finals in June 2022. Getty Images

“Ime Udoka fumbled Nia Long and the NBA Finals,” another fan posted. “I’ve never seen an L worse than this one.”

Udoka, who was named the head coach of the Celtics in June 2021, is said to be facing a possible season-long suspension over the apparent romance, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. The Athletic’s Shams Charania also reported that the “improper intimate and consensual relationship” has been regarded as “a violation of franchise’s code of conduct.”

Further, the 45-year-old coach is said to be mulling a potential resignation, sources told Sports Illustrated on Thursday.

Nia Long and Ime Udoka in Feb. 2017. WireImage

Neither Udoka nor Long, 51, have publicly addressed the situation as of Thursday afternoon. Brandon Robinson of Bally Sports reported earlier in the day that the pair is “believed to have been separated prior to current issues.”

Long and Udoka got engaged in 2015 and have one child together.