Celtics

Morning sports update: Danny Ainge stepping down, Brad Stevens to move into front office role

Stevens will help lead the Celtics' search for a new head coach.

Danny Ainge watches the Celtics-Wizards game in January, 2021. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

June 2, 2021

The Celtics were eliminated by the Nets on Tuesday in a 123-109 Game 5 loss. Brooklyn moves on to face Milwaukee in the next round of the NBA playoffs.

The Red Sox lost to the Astros, 5-1. Boston will face Houston again tonight at 8:10 p.m.

And the Bruins face the Islanders again on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in Game 3 of the second-round matchup with the series tied 1-1.

Update (11 a.m.): The Celtics officially announced that Danny Ainge is retiring from his role as the team’s president of basketball operations. Brad Stevens has been named his replacement.

“Ainge will continue to work with the team on transition planning through the upcoming off-season,” the team said in a statement. “A search for a new head coach will begin immediately.”

The news from the Celtics: Following the Celtics’ first-round playoff exit on Tuesday to the Nets, ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski began a steady stream of reports on Wednesday that a major organizational shakeup was coming for Boston.

According to the initial report from Wojnarowski, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge was “seriously considering his future with the franchise and could make a decision to step down.”

Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge is seriously considering his future with the franchise and could make a decision to step down, sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 2, 2021

A separate report from Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix noted that Ainge might not retire if he left the Celtics.

“Sense is he would look for other opportunities,” Mannix tweeted.

If Danny Ainge exits, he isn’t expected to retire, sources told @SInow. Ainge has been running the Celtics for nearly two decades. Sense is he would look for other opportunities.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 2, 2021

Shortly afterward, a second string of more definitive (and consequential) reports emerged.

Both Wojnarowski and Shams Charania of The Athletic followed up with reports of major announcements: Brad Stevens will transition from his current role as Celtics’ head coach to Ainge’s current role as the head of basketball operations.

Ainge will step down from the role he’s held with the Celtics since 2003.

Brad Stevens is moving from his head coaching role to leading the Celtics basketball operations — and Stevens will lead the search for the Celtics‘ new head coach, sources said. https://t.co/U74E2VBLfo
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 2, 2021

According to both reports, Stevens will now help lead the Celtics’ search for a new head coach.

Brad Stevens is moving into the front office on a full-time role, and Celtics are expected to start a search for a new head coach, sources tell ESPN. Celtics staff and coaches have been informed of the changes. https://t.co/yPf6ERS6NK
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 2, 2021

Stevens has reportedly been “worn down with coaching” since the NBA bubble in 2020.

Stevens has been described as worn down with coaching since The Bubble, and welcomed the chance to make the transition to the front office, sources tell ESPN. Stevens will help lead the search for his successor as head coach.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 2, 2021

Trivia: Only one player from the 2017 NBA draft has averaged more points per game in their career so far than Jayson Tatum. Who is that player?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: He played for Louisville in college.

More from Boston.com:

Kia Nurse’s game-winner for the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday:

"OH MY GOODNESS. WHAT A FINISH IN CHICAGO"

KIA NURSE FTW ‼️ pic.twitter.com/aTzNZxNRld
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) June 2, 2021

On this day: In 1995, Roger Clemens made his first start of the season after being limited by injuries. However, he was overshadowed on the night by Red Sox shortstop John Valentin, who went 5-5 and hit three home runs in a 6-5 win over the Mariners.

Boston Globe John Valentin 1995 — *– Globe Archives*

Daily highlight: Scituate, Mass. native Conor Garland scored Team USA’s fourth goal in a 4-2 win over Italy in the final preliminary round game of the 2021 IIHF Men’s World Championship.