'It's been hell': Celtics players say they were blindsided by Ime Udoka's suspension

The Boston Celtics were two wins away from claiming the 2021-22 NBA championship, which should've been the main narrative heading into training camp this season.

But that all changed four days ago.

The team announced Thursday that head coach Ime Udoka was suspended the entire 2022-2023 season for "violations of team policy," without disclosing much more detail. Players say they are in the dark as much as everyone else about the scandal.

"It’s been hell for us," Marcus Smart told reporters Monday during media day in Canton, Mass. "Just caught by surprise. Nobody really knows anything. We’ve been in the wind like everyone else. So these last couple days have been confusing."

Although Udoka was suspended following a months-long investigation from an outside law firm, Smart said "everything seemed so normal" during the offseason until it wasn't.

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"The initial reaction was just a state of shock," Smart said. "We couldn't believe what we were hearing, especially at the time we were hearing it … right before media day. It's hitting us from all angles and we are just trying to figure it out just like everyone else."

Jayson Tatum said he found out about the allegations "on Twitter." Tatum, Smart and Jaylen Brown all said they haven't had any conversations with Udoka since.

In his first season as head coach, Udoka led the Celtics to a Eastern Conference title and NBA Finals appearance in 2021-22. Although they came up short against the Golden State Warriors, the Celtics are a favorite to rise to the top of the East with the returning core of Tatum, Brown and Smart.

"Coming into this season, you feel a certain way coming off last year and you are excited," Tatum said. "It’s just an unfortunate situation, all things considered. Nobody expected this coming into the season. We were all caught off guard by everything."

Tatum explained that after the news broke on social media, the Celtics met as a team the next day. But, he said no new information was given to the players.

"We met the next day as a team, but it was kind of like the statement that came out," Tatum said, referring to the brief statement the Celtics released on Thursday. "There wasn’t any more information we found out beside the things that you guys heard."

Many players said that they are still processing Udoka's suspension heading into a new season. Others expressed some frustration about the lack of information.

"We were all shocked by what was going on. A little confused," Brown said. "A lot of the information wasn't being shared with us or members of the team, so we can't really comment on it."

Smart added: "It's frustrating from all ends of not knowing, not understanding because you don't know. You just try to focus on the things you can control."

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Forward Grant Williams said he doesn't know all the "facts or details going on behind the scenes," but described Udoka as a "great coach."

"In terms of character and relationship … He was a man that challenged you, held you to a high standard and I think he will continue to do that," Williams said of Udoka. "People make mistakes, that’s the principle of life. No one is perfect, but we have a ship that is prepared to step up when things go down."

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Udoka, the team expressed their confidence in new interim head coach Joe Mazzulla and their desire to move forward. Tatum highlighted the team's familiarity with Mazzulla, who has served as an assistant on the Celtics since 2019.

"He's somebody we are comfortable with," Tatum said. "He’s been here the past 3 or 4 years. Same person, just in a different position now. Somebody that we are familiar with and have a lot of respect for."

Brown said he's "optimistic" about Mazzulla: "I believe in Joe, Joe believes in me. I've had conversations with him and don't think he sees a limit on my game."

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Mazzulla said he's prepared for his new role, and although it's important to look ahead at building on top of last season's success, he said it's equally important to fully process what's happened.

"The message first is to give people space and time, not just the players but everybody," Mazzulla said. "It's an unfortunate situation for everyone involved, so you have to give people the time and space to feel and the time and space to heal. That's key, you can't rush anything."

He added, "You can't rush trust and you can't rush healing."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Celtics on Ime Udoka's suspension: 'It's been hell for us'