Saturday’s Celtics-Rockets matchup represents Ime Udoka’s first trip back to Boston since his suspension and eventual departure from the franchise.
Saturday night at TD Garden, the Boston Celtics host the Houston Rockets in what will be Ime Udoka’s first trip back since his departure from the franchise he helped lead to the 2022 NBA Finals.
In advance of his return, he spoke with Marc Spears of Andscape, acknowledging he’s uncertain of the reaction that he’ll receive while opening up about handling his exit and maintaining relationships he built with his players in Boston.
Now in Houston, Udoka has the Rockets defying expectations, guiding them to an 18-18 record that has them eighth in the Western Conference. They play with an edge, they’re much better defensively than last season, and Jabari Smith Jr. and Alperen Şengün have taken meaningful steps in their development, with the latter already looking like a future All-Star who even has a chance to make it this year.
As for the hosts of Saturday’s matchup, even after a schedule-induced 135-102 thrashing by the Milwaukee Bucks, the Celtics, 29-9, sit atop the NBA standings and have a three-game lead on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Co.
And as of now, it appears they will be at full strength for their tilt vs. Houston, with their injury report being a clean sheet.
Saturday’s contest will tip off at 7:00 p.m. EST. Inside The Celtics will have content related to the game before, during, and afterward. Follow @BobbyKrivitsky on Twitter for updates and analysis from pregame to post.
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