Danny Ainge, President and General Manager of the Boston Celtics, suffered a "mild heart attack", according to several sources. The team broke the bad news on Twitter on Tuesday night, but said that the 60-year old executive received "immediate medical attention." Ainge is expected to make a full recovery and will return to Boston soon after.
According to one source, Ainge's heart attack happened before the Celtics faced the Milwaukee Bucks. Ainge's son, Austin, also took to the micro social media site to express his gratitude for the people "who went above and beyond" to help him and his father.
"The medical staff and Celtics family did so much to help and make sure he was ok. We are so very grateful. Thank you!" said Austin. SportCenter 5's Bob Halloran said that Brad Stevens, head coach of the Boston Celtics, was also informed of Ainge's predicament, but the rest of team "did not know at that time."
In the wee hours at the hospital, after learning my dad was ok, I was brought to tears thinking of how many people went above and beyond to help my dad &family. The medical staff and Celtics family did so much to help and make sure he was ok. We are so very grateful. Thank you! — Austin Ainge (@coachainge) May 2, 2019
The league's official statement on Ainge's condition also said that Stevens has been communicating with Ainge's family and that they seem to be doing well. Despite this, Stevens still thinks that what happened was "scary." To him, Ainge and his family are friends and he wants nothing but to make the former player "comfortable and feeling great." With the Celtics facing the Buck on Friday for Game 3, Stevens feels that what happened is something that is "much bigger than basketball." The head coach said that Ainge really cares about the outcome of Celtics' Playoff run, and that the rest of the team wants to play their best, especially during this time. Shams Charania of The Athletic echoed Ainge's fast recovery and return to Boston on his personal Twitter feed. He added that Ainge is "active" and is walking around and feeling much better.
Ainge is expected to return home this evening and is active, walking around today and feeling much better, sources say. Thoughts and wishes with him. https://t.co/rpynEs3BRb — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 2, 2019
Marcus Smart said that the team was informed of Ainge's heart attack before they had their practice. The Celtics guard also echoed his relationship with Ainge, saying that he was among those who comforted him during the passing of his mother.
"He means a lot to my life as well. I just hope he makes a speedy recovery," said Smart, who also considers Ainge as a "mentor."
Ainge played 14 seasons in the NBA while playing for the Boston Celtics, Portland Trailblazers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns. He then went to coach the Suns from 1996-2000. As a player, Ainge won two championships with the Celtics and one in 2008 as an executive. He also won NBA Executive of the Year in 2008 after helping the front office in acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.
