Celtics’ Ainge has mild heart attack
Boston Celtics President Danny Ainge had a mild heart attack and is expected to fully recover.
The 60-year-old executive received immediate medical attention Tuesday night in Milwaukee, the team said in a statement Thursday. The Celtics were facing the Bucks in the second round of the playoffs. Ainge, who also had a mild heart attack in 2009, was scheduled to return to Boston.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said after the team practiced Thursday that he’s been in frequent communication with Ainge’s family. He said they all seem to be doing well.
Ainge was an All-Star in 1988 and won two championships with the Celtics. He coached the Phoenix Suns for three-plus seasons and took over the Celtics’ basketball operations in 2003.
Injured Harden vows to play Game 3
James Harden squinted under the bright lights of the Toyota Center court in Houston on Thursday and parts of both eyes remained a garish, bloody red.
It was clear Houston’s superstar was still dealing with injuries to his eyes after being hit by Golden State’s Draymond Green in Game 2. Harden insisted the problem wouldn’t keep him out of Game 3 on Saturday as the Rockets try to climb out of an 0-2 hole against the twotime defending champions.
“If I played barely seeing last game, what makes you think I’m going to sit out Game 3?” Harden asked defiantly.
Harden was injured midway through the first quarter Tuesday night after a blow from Green as he tried to rebound a shot he missed. He returned with about seven minutes left in the second quarter and scored 29 points despite saying that his vision was extremely blurry.
Harden practiced with the team Thursday as the Rockets prepare to host Golden State for two games.
“It’s still tough, especially in bright lights,” he said, “but I can see y’all a little bit better so that’s all that matters.”
Golden State’s Stephen Curry, who dislocated the middle finger on his left hand in Game 2 while blocking a shot, practiced Thursday and will play Saturday.
Etc.
Portland Trail Blazers small forward Maurice Harkless, who suffered a sprained right ankle in Game 2 on Wednesday and did not return to the court, is listed as questionable for Friday night’s game in Portland . ... Brooklyn Nets AllStar D’Angelo Russell was detained Wednesday night at New York’s LaGuardia Airport after a small amount of marijuana was found in his luggage by TSA personnel. A spokeswoman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey said Russell was issued a summons for possession of less than 50 grams of marijuana and released . ... Warriors forward Draymond Green and Houston big man Nene had their double technical fouls rescinded by the NBA from Game 2 of their series.