BOSTON — Ime Udoka returned to TD Garden on Saturday night for the first time since the team suspended him for the 2022-23 season. Udoka’s Houston Rockets lost to the Celtics 145-113.

Before the game, the Rockets coach was met with a mixed reaction of boos and some cheers when he was introduced during the opening lineups.

Udoka was previously asked if it was an emotional moment to return to the place where he almost won a title, but then quickly lost his job due to what the team decided was an inappropriate workplace relationship.

“We had a good year, not a great year. It didn’t get done. But yeah, I would say just seeing some people I haven’t seen in a while, obviously talking to them,” Udoka said. “And then once it’s done. First time for everything. “We’ve been through it and we’re ready to move forward.”

Udoka said he was sorry to let down the players and staff after coming so close to winning the tournament, although he said he was able to talk to some of them in an attempt to move forward.

“I mean I was honest with the players. When things happened, I reached out to whoever I needed to, and I feel some comfort in the guys knowing what happened and how everything happened,” Udoka said. “And then, obviously, I made it up to my coaches because they all came with me.” To Houston. A lot of my guys came back with me and I talked to them throughout the year whenever I could, but I wanted to give them space to do their job as well. This applies to the players as well.”

Since Udoka’s arrival in Houston, he has articulated the aspects of team building that are critical to long-term success – discipline on the field, unselfishness and, most importantly, an aggressive and hands-on approach to defence. The 19-18 Rockets have struggled with offensive consistency, but their ability to maintain a top-three defensive unit for the majority of the season is the biggest reason they’re still in the postseason chase.

Udoka relied on veteran presence Jeff Green, Dillon Brooks, Aaron Holiday and Fred VanVleet to restore balance to a Rockets locker room that was in need of stability and order. It is no surprise that the meteoric rise of third-year midfielder Alberin Singun has coincided with the appointment of a coach who demands the highest level of performance from his players.

“The veterans coming in have played a big role in that,” Udoka said. “Winning 19, 20, 22 games over the last three seasons, you kind of welcome a different change in responsibility, the way you coach, and you know, making those relationships is the same thing no matter how long you’ve been here or where you are,” he added. Last I’ve been. “This is who I am and you can only be who you are and they understand that when you come.”

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(Photo: Troy Wairinen/USA Today)