Dan Shaughnessy’s picked-up pieces

Picked-up pieces while blowing out the candles on Kevin Garnett’s 37th birthday cake . . .

Draft prospect Shabazz Muhammad out to prove he carries no baggage into the NBA

Perceptions can be hazardous this time of year, especially when they are negative. Shabazz Muhammad was supposed to be the No. 1 prospect entering this year’s NBA draft, a tough, high-scoring bull with a grown man’s game.

Danny Ainge confirms that Doc Rivers will return to Celtics

At the NBA draft combine Thursday, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge made it official, telling the Globe that Doc Rivers will return for a 10th season as head coach after some speculation that he was considering stepping down.

Ainge: Rivers will return next season

By Gary Washburn, Globe Staff CHICAGO -- After Doc Rivers left the door slightly ajar on the possibility of him stepping down as coach, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge promptly shut it Thursday afternoon, confirming that Rivers will...

Avery Bradley voted to NBA's All-Defensive second team

Celtics guard Avery Bradley was voted onto his first NBA All-Defensive team in this season in results announced Monday.

Carmelo Anthony thanks Globe writer for MVP vote

Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony thanked the Boston reporter who voted for Anthony for NBA MVP.

Phoenix Suns hire Celtics assistant GM Ryan McDonough as new GM

By Baxter Holmes, Globe Staff The Phoenix Suns hired Celtics assistant general manager Ryan McDonough, 33, as their new general manager Tuesday. McDonough spent a decade with the Celtics, first in the film room, then as a scout before rising...

No Celtics, Lakers in 2nd rd a 1st since '07

The second round of the NBA playoffs is under way, and for the first time in six years, the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics are nowhere to be found.

Some random sports thoughts from Boston Globe columnist Christopher L. Gasper

Everyone knows the feeling of having a song stuck in your head on repeat. The same can happen with sports opinions, so it’s time for Christopher L. Gasper to break out his iThink and hit play on a bunch of different sports topics floating through his mind.

Jason Collins situation shows professional sports have a long way to go in accepting gay players

Major male professional sports are one of the last — and most visible — places in society where homosexuality is so taboo that until NBA center and former Celtic Jason Collins came out its existence couldn’t even be acknowledged.

A difficult first Celtics season for Jason Terry

It was a disappointing season for Jason Terry.

Ainge has tough job retooling Celtics

Luckily for president of basketball operations Danny Ainge, he’ll have some time to ponder roster decisions, because it would be easy to overreact to the Celtics’ playoff demise.

A difficult season for Terry

It was a disappointing season for Jason Terry.

Futures of Garnett, Pierce big questions

Their pasts intertwine, dating to 1995 when Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett were part of the same high school class and played ball during summers in the same basketball camps.

Celtics’ salary situation for 2013-14 (Chart)

Where the Celtics roster stands based on contracts, salaries.

In Twitter style, outtakes on the sports world

Here is the latest 140-character (or less) Twitter twirl around the sports world, while wondering what’s harder, to win a Stanley Cup without a power play or an NBA title without a point guard?

Celtics have another offseason of decisions ahead

BOSTON (AP) — This offseason will be a lot like the last one for the Boston Celtics.

Avery Bradley almost stole a victory for Boston Celtics

For all his struggles throughout this playoff series, Avery Bradley took charge of an almost improbable comeback at the end Friday night in Game 6 at TD Garden.

Celtics' comeback fades in loss to Knicks

BOSTON (AP) — Kevin Garnett made his way off the court toward Boston's locker room looking straight down the entire way, not lifting his head or even a hand to the fans crowding the way and reaching for a high-five.

Celtics' comeback fades in 88-80 loss to Knicks

BOSTON (AP) — Kevin Garnett made his way off the court toward Boston's locker room looking straight down the entire way, not lifting his head or even a hand to the fans crowding him and reaching for a high-five or to congratulate him.

Knicks win first playoff series in 13 years

The game and the performance left questions when it was over — questions about the Knicks’ chances to move past the Pacers, about the Knicks’ offensive balance and shooting, about the Knicks’ ability to close out a series.

Celtics just not good enough

Things just never worked out the way they were supposed to this season for the Celtics. Jason Terry and Courtney Lee could never replace Ray Allen. Rajon Rondo blew out his knee, and slowly the team’s cracks turned into craters.

Celtics' comeback fades in 88-80 loss to Knicks

BOSTON (AP) — Kevin Garnett made his way off the court toward Boston's locker room looking straight down the entire way, not lifting his head or even a hand to the fans crowding the way and reaching for a high-five.

Knicks hold on to beat Celtics 88-80 and advance

BOSTON (AP) — Twelve years without advancing in the playoffs. Two failed attempts to close out the Boston Celtics. Nineteen consecutive missed 3-pointers.

Doc Rivers’s trust for Terrence Williams paid off in Game 5

It wasn’t until after the Celtics’ last game that coach Doc Rivers said he knew he could trust Terrence Williams on the playoff stage.

Celtics can’t complete comeback, end season with loss to Knicks

History. The Celtics wanted to make it, and now their season is it.

Pierce, Garnett unsure of what next season will bring

Celtics forwards Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett both spoke about their uncertain futures following Boston's elimination from the playoffs Friday night.

Knicks hold on to beat Celtics and advance

BOSTON (AP) — Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points and the New York Knicks held on after blowing most of a 26-point lead to beat the Boston Celtics 88-80 in Game 6 on Friday night and advance in the postseason for the first time since 2000.

Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony responds to comments

While Carmelo Anthony maintained that Jordan Crawford’s trash talk wasn’t worth his time — “It wasn’t even worth y’all typing that” – the Knicks star did respond to the comments made by Crawford.

Knicks hold on to beat Celtics and advance

BOSTON (AP) — Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points and the New York Knicks held on after blowing most of a 26-point lead to beat the Boston Celtics 88-80 in Game 6 on Friday night and advance in the postseason for the first time since 2000.