Ime Udoka’s firing from the Boston Celtics led to a chain reaction of epic proportions throughout the NBA. However, as the C’s find themselves down 0-2 to the New York Knicks in rather unexpected fashion, one person finds themselves having the time of their lives.
That person is none other than the ex-wife of their former head coach, Nia Long.
Nia Long Turns Celebratory After Boston Celtics Playoffs Collapse
In a situation almost no one saw coming, the Boston Celtics find themselves down to the Knicks, despite playing the first two games at home. After starting the games as nearly 10-point favorites each time, it has been a rather shocking turn of events for the men in green.
With 20-point leads in both games, it seemed certain that Boston would walk out the victor both times and continue their march as potentially the first back-to-back NBA Champions since 2017-2018.
However, rough outings for the team as a whole from distance, combined with brutal games from Jayson Tatum, led to the Celtics squandering the lead both times, finding themselves in a deep hole going back to Madison Square Garden.
For Nia Long, though, it was a major cause for celebration. In a rather straightforward message on X, she wrote, “Let’s f***ing go @nyknicks baby!!!!”
A New York native, born in Brooklyn, there is certainly a fan part of her celebrating the wins. However, her investment in the games might go far deeper than just from a fan’s perspective.
How the Ime Udoka Situation Took a Toll on Long
A head coaching job in the NBA is one of the most in-flux positions in the entire sporting world. Seemingly every year, multiple coaches enter the coaching carousel, with a litany of changes a virtual guarantee.
However, one of the more unexpected changes in recent memory came in the form of Ime Udoka and his departure from the Boston Celtics. Changing the outlook of the franchise as a whole, Udoka was the mastermind behind the Celtics’ first trip to the Finals in well over a decade in 2022.
However, he was axed that very offseason after reports of inappropriate relations with a female subordinate. Some of that brunt also fell on Long, who’d been dating Udoka since 2009, and the couple even had a kid together.
Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter at the time, she laid out some of her vitriol for the Boston-based organization.”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.”
Eventually, she took him out of school, at least for the time being. “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.”
With her reactions on social media celebrating the Celtics’ playoff downfall, some of that anger continues to fester.