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Ainge suffers minor heart attack

Posted by Marc J. Spears, Globe Staff April 16, 2009 06:16 PM

The Celtics have confirmed that president of basketball operations Danny Ainge suffered a minor heart attack early this morning. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Here is the team's official statement:

Danny Ainge is recovering at Massachusetts General Hospital after having a minor heart attack. He is recovering nicely. Mr. Ainge is expected to remain in the hospital for a few days.

Boston television station WCVB Channel 5, which broke the story earlier this evening, reported that the 50-year-old Ainge woke up this morning suffering from chest pains. He was immediately taken to Massachusetts General Hospital, where doctors inserted a stent in heart to clear an artery that was completely clogged.

Celtics managing partner Stephen Pagliuca told the Globe that Ainge got to the hospital quickly -- something that is critical when a heart attack is in progress -- and is "recovering nicely."

"I saw him at about 3:30 p.m. today," Pagliuca said. "I spoke to him and he was already joking about recovering and Eddie House breaking his record [for 3-point percentage in a season] putting him over the top. He was in good spirits. He was with his wife, Michelle, at the hospital. He was in good spirits."

Pagliuca said Ainge, the NBA Executive of the Year last season, probably won't be at Game 1 of the Celtics' first-round playoff series tomorrow night against the Bulls. Ainge did not attend the Celtics' regular-season finale Wednesday night against the Wizards because he was feeling ill.

"We're very grateful that Danny is progressing," said Pagliuca, noting that it was a tough day. "He will bounce back quickly. Danny is a warrior.

"I'm just very glad he's OK and he's in great care. We hope to see him back soon because he's a big part of Celtics Nation."

Said Celtics guard Ray Allen via text message, "Our hearts go out to him and his family. We all wish him a speedy recovery."

A guard who played on two championship teams during his 7 1/2 seasons with the Celtics, Ainge returned to the franchise in 2003 when he was named executive director of basketball operations.

His bold trades for Allen and fellow All-Star Kevin Garnett were major reasons the Celtics won their first NBA championship last season since 1985-86, when Ainge was a member of the starting backcourt.

Chad Finn of the Globe staff contributed to this report.

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54 comments so far...

  1. Get well Danny. I'm thankful you were in Boston and not on the road. See you at the Finals!

    Posted by Peter April 16, 09 06:38 PM

  1. And I thought I was taking the news about Kevin Garnett hard...

    Posted by Mike J April 16, 09 06:39 PM

  1. sorry to hear that news about danny I wish him speedy recovering

    Posted by raymond m mcgarry April 16, 09 06:41 PM

  1. We are all thinking of you Danny. Get well soon

    Posted by Mike April 16, 09 06:42 PM

  1. Our thoughts and prayers are with you , Danny

    Posted by long time celtics fan April 16, 09 06:44 PM

  1. GET WELL DANNY

    Posted by E April 16, 09 06:45 PM

  1. Get well soon, Danny
    You are one of the Celtic family!

    Posted by opk3 April 16, 09 06:47 PM

  1. I came to post what Mike J did...get well Danny!

    Posted by Ghost of Johnny Most April 16, 09 06:49 PM

  1. Be careful what you eat, Danny, and please take care of yourself and get well very soon. My best wishes to you for a complete recovery.

    Posted by Brian Masinick April 16, 09 06:54 PM

  1. Thoughts and prayers. Get well soon.

    Posted by Harrybosch April 16, 09 06:58 PM

  1. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Danny.Hope to see you back soon.

    Posted by Paul April 16, 09 07:00 PM

  1. Godspeed Sir.

    Posted by Eric April 16, 09 07:06 PM

  1. No such thing as a mild heart attack

    Posted by wb thornton April 16, 09 07:11 PM

  1. Get Well Danny!!!!!!

    Posted by Dan Imperato April 16, 09 07:12 PM

  1. Best wishes for Danny. Call me odd but I wore #22 on my high school basketball team because Danny was #22 at BYU. A long time favorite.

    Posted by Sam D April 16, 09 07:13 PM

  1. Get well soon Danny -- the world is waiting for the 'repeat' (and I'm a Pacer fan currently but started with the Celtics in the 70's).

    Posted by Dee April 16, 09 07:15 PM

  1. Good thing he had it after only hearing about Eddie House breaking his 3- point record. If he had it after hearing that KG might be out for the entire playoffs, it could have been a massive atack. I'm just joking of course. I wish him the best and a complete and speedy recovery.

    Posted by Alan K April 16, 09 07:22 PM

  1. Get well soon, Danny!

    Don't worry about the Celtics for now ... just worry about getting better and getting your health back!

    I'm sure the entire Celtic nation, the NBA and all its fans are praying for your speedy recovery. God bless!

    Posted by AD April 16, 09 07:22 PM

  1. Danny,

    Get well soon pal. Rest up for the later rounds with KG

    Posted by Leob April 16, 09 07:23 PM

  1. Thoughtas and prays are with you Danny get well soon

    Posted by tony j April 16, 09 07:26 PM

  1. Danny get well soon ....Take your time the club is in good hands...

    Posted by tman2000 April 16, 09 07:29 PM

  1. Never underestimate the heart of a ....., uhh, never mind.

    Get well, Ainge. There, I said it. It was tough, but I said it.

    Posted by FLA22 April 16, 09 07:35 PM

  1. Get well soon Danny!

    Posted by Rob April 16, 09 07:37 PM

  1. Take care of yourself, Dan, the Celtics need you...

    Posted by duckman April 16, 09 07:40 PM

  1. Danny ~~
    Get well soon !!
    Best wishes !!

    Posted by DickNH April 16, 09 08:04 PM

  1. Get well soon, Danny!!

    Posted by Katie April 16, 09 08:15 PM

  1. If you have to be sick its best to have heart trouble They can do the most for it. God bless you and your family RIchard

    Posted by Richard April 16, 09 08:18 PM

  1. Get well soon D.A. Thoughts are with your family. I'll cheer extra loud for you on Saturday and we'll save your seats in Section 17.

    Posted by KobeWearsAPurpleThong April 16, 09 08:26 PM

  1. Danny Ainge!!.., we wish you a speedy recovery!!!

    Posted by Celticsville April 16, 09 08:27 PM

  1. Danny Ainge!!.., we wish you a speedy recovery!!!

    Posted by Celticsville April 16, 09 08:31 PM

  1. Get Well Soon, Danny. We are praying for your immediate recovery at the Lakers Blog. Your health is more important than basketball.

    Posted by Edwin Gueco April 16, 09 09:16 PM

  1. I hope the Boys make you proud.
    Be well.

    Posted by Davis April 16, 09 09:18 PM

  1. Get motivated Danny, we're all with you!

    Posted by Richard April 16, 09 09:20 PM

  1. DANNY OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.GOD IS WITH YOU.HAVE FAITH !!

    Posted by PHILIP DIMATTIA April 16, 09 09:21 PM

  1. God Bless #44 - Be well Danny.

    Posted by Sue Mo April 16, 09 09:30 PM

  1. Danny...you are the man! Get well soon and come back stronger!!!

    Posted by jjklaw April 16, 09 10:00 PM

  1. What the hell?! The whole team is falling apart!

    Posted by Bill W April 16, 09 10:09 PM

  1. Danny:

    Get well soon! Today was scary enough, losing KG for the playoffs, hearing you had a heart attack scared me sh*tless!

    Look forward to seeing you at the garden soon!

    Posted by deanfranksam April 16, 09 10:16 PM

  1. Danny: Celtic fan from Az wishes you all the best and a speedy recovery.

    Posted by Bob Rogers April 16, 09 10:21 PM

  1. Danny Boy

    ya gotta stop eating those Italian Sausages at the Gahden

    Get well soon

    Posted by batman77 April 16, 09 10:33 PM

  1. Danny you are a true Celtic get well soon

    Posted by harry April 16, 09 10:43 PM

  1. Get well Danny. I'm sure everyone in the Boston sports family wishes you a speedy recovery!

    Posted by Jackarooty April 16, 09 11:01 PM

  1. All I can say is that you have been my favorite Celtic since I was a teen. Get well soon.

    Posted by evgomes_44 April 16, 09 11:10 PM

  1. Feel better Danny. Thanks for KG and Ray.

    Posted by Perry April 16, 09 11:10 PM

  1. Danny, I was shocked to hear that you had suffered a heart attack but I am obviously very glad that you are reported to be resting comfortably and that you will make a complete recovery. My thoughts and prayers are certainly with you and your family during your recovery. You are VERY much loved in the Boston community and we are all looking forward to seeing you back in the Garden cheering on the great team you've built for a grateful Celtis Nation!

    Posted by Charlie G. April 16, 09 11:16 PM


  1. We, Bostonians, are so lucky to have the Best Hospitals within arms reach
    Glad to hear that Danny Ainge was in Boston at the time, treated @ MGH, and doing well post-procedure.

    Best Wishes for a full recovery!
    Go CELTICS!

    Posted by MaryKate April 16, 09 11:16 PM

  1. Get well soon Danny!

    Posted by DuaneO April 16, 09 11:24 PM

  1. Here's to a speedy recovery Danny! Listen to your doctors and don't rush your return, but we're looking forward to having you back.

    Posted by Headquarters April 16, 09 11:24 PM

  1. Danny, we love you man.

    A "mild heart attack" is still a heart attack, and we're so glad that you're recovering.

    GET WELL SOON.

    Posted by BrettR4763 April 16, 09 11:55 PM

  1. I've been a long time Celtic Fan and I was glad Danny returned to The Garden to bring us back to our glory days again.
    Get well soon Danny so you can raise another banner in the rafters
    MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU

    Posted by Bill G April 17, 09 12:17 AM

  1. Sorry to hear about this ... there is no such thing as a minor heart attack!

    Get well very soon!

    Posted by Cavs Fan April 17, 09 12:27 AM

  1. Kind of puts Garnett's injury into perspective...here's to a full recovery for both and #18 next season.

    Posted by Mike K April 17, 09 12:35 AM

  1. Danny,

    Please urge everyone you know to get a CARDIAC CALCIUM SCORING TEST. It will prevent what you just experience. Get well soon and Thank You for the great memories of last year and for new memories to come in the years ahead!

    Posted by Rich P. April 17, 09 01:00 AM

  1. Get well soon Danny
    Thanks for #17, we need your brilliance for #18, #19......

    Posted by Nowayout08 April 17, 09 01:15 AM
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