BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics suspended Ime Udoka for a full year, banning the coach who led them to the NBA Finals last spring for the entire 2022-23 season over what two people with knowledge of the matter said was an improper relationship with a member of the organization.

The people spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because the team did not reveal that detail publicly. In a statement issued after a full day of wrangling over the terms of the punishment, the Celtics said Udoka violated team policies and left open the possibility of a longer separation.

Assistant coach Joe Mazzulla will take over as interim coach, one of the people who spoke with The AP said. The defending Eastern Conference champions are scheduled to hold media day on Monday and open training camp Tuesday in preparation for the Oct. 18 season opener.

JUDGE FALLS SHORT IN HR BID

NEW YORK (AP) — Aaron Judge fell a few feet short of a record-tying 61st home run, hitting a 404-foot drive caught just in front of the center field wall, and the New York Yankees beat the Boston Red Sox 5-4 on Josh Donaldson’s 10th-inning single to clinch their sixth straight playoff berth.

Judge had walked three times and struck out once before he came to bat with the score tied 4-all in the ninth. He drove a fastball from Matt Barnes just to the right of straightaway center, but the ball was caught a step in front of the fence. That left Judge still one home run shy of the AL record set by Yankees slugger Roger Maris in 1961.

RELIABLE COMBO WINS MATCH

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The idea was for two of the most reliable American teams to set the tone in the Presidents Cup and the result was predictable.

Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay made short work of Adam Scott and Hideki Matsuyama in the opening match. They didn’t make a bogey in a 6-and-5 victory, improving their record to 5-0 in foursomes at the Presidents Cup and Ryder Cup.

Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, best friends since they were 14, had clutch shots to atone for their mistakes and held off Sungjae Im and Corey Conners, 2 and 1.

Another strong American team from top to bottom played at a high level on a hot day at Quail Hollow and walked off with a 4-1 lead after the first session.