When Ime Udoka was suspended suddenly on the eve of training camp before the 2022-23 season, Celtics players were hurt, frustrated and confused. They expressed that publicly, wondering why the coach they had grown close to in their run to the NBA Finals was gone. They felt left in the dark.

Privately, though – in the midst of the suspension that ultimately turned into his dismissal after he violated Celtics policies, reportedly for having an inappropriate relationship with a female member of the organization – Udoka said he stayed in touch with some of his former players about the events that led to his messy exit from Boston.

“I would say they lied to you guys,” Udoka said. “Some of them knew and, you know, obviously I could talk to them and they wouldn’t share stuff publicly, so who needed to know, knew.”

Udoka, who quickly found a new job as the head coach of the Rockets, returned to TD Garden on Saturday for the first time since his dismissal. When he was introduced prior to Saturday’s game, the reception from the crowd was a mix of cheers and boos, probably more the latter. His stoic, emotionless demeanor has remained. He did not have any sentimental feelings for coming back, and while he has now long moved past the drama and circumstances of his departure, he did express some regret for how his tenure in Boston ended.

“I talked about it, obviously when it happened and obviously in my press conference leading up to Houston. But job not finished,” Udoka said. “The relationships you build and the people you impact. So that’d be the biggest thing. Formed a lot of relationships within a year and obviously want to get a chance to run it back with a group you feel you can build and grow with. So, letting the people down.

“I talked about the players, the relationships I built with them, the coaches that came with me, and then everybody else that was impacted by it. So for me that’s the biggest thing I would say overall is letting some people down, for sure. But we’ve talked it out and I’ve seen a lot of these people throughout the summer and talk regularly, and so we move past it.”

Throughout last season, Celtics players continued to hold Udoka in high regard despite what happened. Marcus Smart expressed disappointment when Udoka reportedly landed the Brooklyn Nets head-coaching opening early in the season shortly after his Boston exit. Jayson Tatum maintained that Udoka was the best coach he had ever played for.

The relationships between Udoka and his former Celtics players remained despite whatever transgressions got him dismissed. He said he was as transparent about the situation with them as he could be.

“I was up front with the guys. When the things happened, I reached out to who I needed to and you know, have a little comfort in guys knowing what happened and how it all went down,” Udoka said. “And then obviously, made up with my coaches because they all came with me to Houston. So a lot of my guys are back with me and I talked to them throughout the year whenever I could, but wanted to give them space to do their thing, as well. And that goes with the players as well. But ran into quite a bit of them over the summer and Marcus Smart’s wedding and everywhere in between. So I’ve seen them all and talked to them regularly. …

“It’s the relationships that have been built and they’re going to be long lasting. So we all check on each other. It’s no different than LaMarcus Aldridge or Joel Embiid or guys that I’ve coached that I’ve gotten really close with. From that standpoint, if they do something crazy or I do something crazy, they reach out. In general, I think being in LA in the summers, we all run into each other quite a bit and talk regularly. I wouldn’t say it’s any different than anybody else, other than the fact that we had a lot of success in a short period and really formed great relationships.”

Tip-ins

Dalano Banton was briefly assigned to the Maine Celtics on Saturday to play in the team’s 112-92 win over the Indiana Mad Ants. He scored 28 points on 22 shots as the team looks to continue his development offensively.

“It’s dual. At the end of the day, just maintaining your confidence, maintaining your conditioning,” Joe Mazzulla said on the benefit of Banton getting some time in Maine. “He took 28 shots, which is good, because he needs to have confidence in his shot when he comes in here and plays. He took seven threes, which is a shot that he’s going to have to make when he plays with us.

“So I think it’s just patience as far has when his turn is coming, and then open-mindedness to like, this is a development phase and this is an opportunity for you to continue to get better so that when you play with us, you have that confidence because of the reps.” …

Dillon Brooks returned for the Rockets on Saturday for his first game since Dec. 26 when he suffered a right abdominal oblique injury.