BOSTON — Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge was hospitalized yesterday after suffering what the team described as a minor heart attack.

The team issued a brief statement saying that Ainge, 50, was taken to a Boston hospital but provided few other details.

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

A spokeswoman for Massachusetts General Hospital referred comment to the team.

"All of Celtics Nation is thankful that Danny got incredible medical care so quickly and so effectively," Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck said. "We wish him, Michelle and the kids all the best and know he will be back with us very soon."

A member of two Celtics championship teams in the 1980s with the original Big Three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish, Ainge was an NBA All-Star in 1988.

As general manager, Ainge helped the franchise raise its record 17th NBA championship last season by assembling a new Big Three, acquiring Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to join Celtics veteran Paul Pierce.

The Celtics begin the playoffs tomorrow against Chicago.

GARNETT MIGHT NOT PLAY

Earlier yesterday, the Celtics said Garnett was unlikely to return from a knee injury to play in the postseason — a potentially devastating blow to their hopes of a repeat championship.

"It's not official that he's out for the entire playoffs, but it's official as far as I'm concerned," coach Doc Rivers said before practice at the team's workout facility. "I just don't see how. I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see it."

Garnett averaged 15.8 points and 8.5 rebounds per game this season.