Celtics reporter Amanda Pflugrad rips ‘disgusting’ Ime Udoka media speculation

Celtics reporter Amanda Pflugrad rips ‘disgusting’ Ime Udoka media speculation

Brad Stevens called out the rampant speculation surrounding coach Ime Udoka’s suspension as “bulls–t” on Friday.

He wasn’t alone.

“As a female of the Celtics organization, watching these last few days unfold has been heartbreaking,” Celtics team reporter Amanda Pflugrad wrote on Twitter Friday. “Seeing uninvolved people’s names thrown around in the media, including mine, with such carelessness is disgusting. This is a step backwards for women in sports who have worked hard to prove themselves in an industry they deserve to be in.”

Udoka was suspended for the 2022-23 season on Thursday for violating team policy, which reportedly was due to an inappropriate and consensual relationship with a female member of the Celtics staff.

Udoka, a former Nets assistant, is waiting to learn his long-term fate, which the franchise has yet to decide.

The team has not revealed the identity of the female staffer, though media and fans have attempted to discern her identity, going so far as to post names and pictures on the internet. Stevens, at a press conference on Friday alongside Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, decried the attempts to uncover the woman’s identity.

Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka speaks from the bench areaIme Udoka was suspended by the Celtics for violating team policy.AP Photo

“We have a lot of talented women in our organization, and I thought yesterday was really hard on them,” Stevens said. “Nobody can control Twitter speculation and rampant bulls–t, but I do think that we as an organization have a responsibility to make sure we’re there to support them now, because a lot of people were dragged unfairly into that.”