Report: Rockets coach Ime Udoka signs long-term extension

Field Level Media|published: Thu 19th June, 12:57 2025

NBA: Playoffs-Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets

May 4, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka reacts during the first half of game seven of the first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka has agreed to a long-term contract extension, ESPN reported on Thursday.

While no specific terms were cited in the report, ESPN said the deal would make Udoka one of the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.

Udoka, 47, guided the Rockets to a 52-30 record this season and the second seed in the Western Conference playoffs. Houston, however, fell to the Golden State Warriors in seven games during the first round of the playoffs.

Houston denied the request of the New York Knicks earlier this month to speak to Udoka about their vacant head coaching position.

Udoka joined the Rockets after he was suspended and later fired by the Boston Celtics during the 2022-23 season for a violation of team rules. He led the Celtics to the NBA Finals in his lone season as the head coach in 2021-22.

Udoka owns a 144-102 record as the head coach of the Celtics and Rockets (2023-present).

--Field Level Media