Celtics react to news of Danny Ainge's mild heart attack

The Celtics announced Thursday that team president Danny Ainge suffered a mild heart attack in Milwaukee on Tuesday night. The executive received immediate medical attention and is expected to make a full recovery according to the team. He remains in Milwaukee to rest for the time being but is expected to return to Boston in the coming days with Game 3 of the Bucks-Celtics series looming at the Garden on Friday night.

Ainge has a history of heart issues which makes the episode a bit scarier. Ainge suffered a mild heart attack age 50 in April 2009 ahead of the team's postseason run.

Brad Stevens said today that the heart attack occurred before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals, but he did not specify where, citing the family's desire for privacy.

"Been in constant communication with his family," Brad Stevens said. "He’s resting well and feels better. Obviously, always scary but he’s got a good support network. Obviously, expect a full recovery and he’s feeling good. So that’s all positive. Certainly scary."

The rest of the Celtics roster found out about Ainge's situation before practice on Thursday when they were informed by the coaching staff about his condition. 

"The concern is what it would be for anybody," Marcus Smart said. "Anything serious that you’re dealing with your health is something that is really concerning. But he has great help and doctors are going to take great care of him. They said he’s resting now and he’s going to make a full recovery. He’s got to get his rest and continue to recover."

Ainge's condition obviously looms larger than the pending Game 3 battle with the Bucks on Friday night but the team knows what Ainge would want them to be doing in the midst of his recovery.

"What he is going through is more important than any game we are playing," Jayson Tatum said. "He’s doing better and I know he wants us to go out and compete. Game 3 is important to us and very important to him and everyone in our organization."

While the focus level is still high for Friday night, the situation is definitely causing the team to take a step back and think about the bigger picture.

"Danny is just one of those guys who takes time out of his life, his day when he’s doing his schedule to make sure you’re all right," Marcus Smart said. "He constantly checks in on us, my family, and things like that. Just personally for me, he’s been another mentor for me. From when I first got here, Danny was the person I see every day and am talking to, so he means a lot to my life as well so. So like I said I just hope he has a speedy recovery."

"To me, he’s a friend," Brad Stevens added. "And the family’s been so good to us that you don’t even think about anything else. You just want him to be comfortable and feeling great and getting better. Good prognosis, all that’s the case. Then, obviously, it immediately goes to his family and his kids and his wife and they all seem to be doing well, too.

"I think that this is much bigger than basketball so Game 3 is Game 3. Obviously you always want to play your best at this time of year, obviously, he really cares about the result, we all really care about the result, but this is a game. That’s what it is."