The quest continues.
The New York Knicks’ search for a new head coach won’t lead them to former Celtics coach Ime Udoka, according to SNY’s Ian Begley.
“(The) Knicks formally reached out to Rockets for permission to talk to head coach Ime Udoka and Rockets denied permission, per people familiar with Rockets’ stance,” Begley posted on X. “@MikeFrancesa said Knicks reached out to Minnesota and were denied permission to talk to Chris Finch. The Athletic’s @KellyIko reported last week that Rockets had no interest in entertaining any Udoka-to-NY scenario.”
The 47-year-old Udoka is under contract with the Rockets for two more seasons. He’s coming off a successful second year in Houston, leading the team to 52 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. The Rockets lost their first-round playoff series to the Golden State Warriors in seven games.
Udoka, who finished a distant third in NBA Coach of the Year voting, spent one season running the show in Boston. The 2021-22 campaign saw him lead the Celtics to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Warriors in six games.
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Udoka spent the following season out of the game, serving a one-year suspension for violating team policies. He used “Crude language in his dialogue with a female subordinate prior to the start of an improper workplace relationship with the woman,” according to ESPN.
Joe Mazzulla replaced Udoka and the Celtics never looked back. Following his suspension, Udoka was hired by the Rockets.
The Knicks are looking for a new head coach after unexpectedly parting ways with Tom Thibodeau following New York’s loss last month to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.