Boston, Massachusettes – The Boston Celtics have suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the entire coming 2022-23 season, the team announced Thursday night. He responded with an apology over the alleged affair.

In their announcement, the Celtics cited "violations of team policies" and that Udoka's future with the franchise beyond this season will be decided upon at a later time.

His suspension will take effect immediately.

Udoka responded to the news with a statement of his own.

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"I want to apologize to our players, fans, the entire Celtics organization, and my family for letting them down."

"I am sorry for putting the team in this difficult situation, and I accept the team's decision," he added. "Out of respect for everyone involved, I will have no further comment."

Although the alleged affair was said to be consensual between the head coach and the staffer, it is apparently considered a violation of team guidelines.

Udoka has been engaged to actor Nia Long since May 2015. They met in 2010 and share a 10-year-old son, Kez.

Some reports have claimed the coach made unwanted comments toward a female staffer, which prompted an internal investigation and uncovered the affair.

The Celtics will begin their NBA season on October 18 in a home game against the Philadelphia 76ers, a team Udoka also used to be a coaching assistant for.

Celtics' assistant coach Joe Mazzulla is expected to step in as interim head coach, unless the team finds a replacement for Udoka before then.