It’s been nearly 600 days since Ime Udoka was the head coach of the Boston Celtics, coaching his last game at the TD Garden in Game 6 of the 2022 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors. Udoka was eventually fired by the Celtics for breaking team rules.

On Saturday, Udoka made his first appearance back at the TD Garden for the first time since he was dismissed by the team, now as the head coach of the Houston Rockets.

During his press conference on Friday, Udoka said that he’s not “too sentimental of a person” when asked if this game means anything extra to him.

Ime Udoka on returning to Boston to go against his former #Celtics team:

“I’m not too sentimental of a person and don’t get caught up in anything like that.”

(🎥 @CLNSMedia) pic.twitter.com/1V3WahESxa

— The Celtics Files (@CelticsFiles) January 13, 2024

This was Udoka’s first time back on the court and then later introduced, drawing a mixed reaction from the TD Garden crowd.

Ime Udoka returns to the TD Garden floor#Celtics #Rockets  #NBA 

⚡️by @FDSportsbook | @HelloFresh | @SeatGeek pic.twitter.com/HwIErOJ5aQ

— Celtics on CLNS (@CelticsCLNS) January 14, 2024

Ime Udoka is introduced as the Rockets coach at the Garden for the first time to a mixed response. pic.twitter.com/faKMQSTEN5

— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) January 14, 2024

Udoka said his biggest regret from everything that happened in Boston was letting people down.

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