Ainge suffers heart attack

The 50-year-old who was appointed Celtics president in 2003, Ainge played in the NBA for Boston, the Sacramento Kings, the Portland Trail Blazers and the Phoenix Suns.

"Danny Ainge is recovering at Massachusetts General Hospital after having a minor heart attack," the Celtics said in a statement.

"He is recovering nicely. Mr. Ainge is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days."

Ainge's health woes capped a miserable day for the Celtics who learned earlier that their pivotal forward Kevin Garnett was unlikely to feature in the playoffs because of a knee injury.

Garnett, the former league Most Valuable Player, has had a sore right knee since mid-February and has made several aborted returns.