Rivers says enough with the Garnett talk

BOSTON - Before and after Saturday's Game 1, Boston coach Doc Rivers stressed he didn't want to discuss Kevin Garnett's apparent season-ending knee injury anymore.

Garnett watched the first half of the Bulls' 105-103 overtime victory from the Celtics bench, but he never came out for the second half. He was rarely on the bench while sidelined late this season and probably didn't feel comfortable in the role of cheerleader.

Rivers was asked about Garnett's disappearing act at his postgame news conference. The Maywood native is as cooperative with the media as any coach in NBA history, but this time he refused the question.

"Guys, Kevin is not playing in this playoffs," Rivers said. "I'm not answering Kevin Garnett questions. I didn't even notice, honestly, until somebody told me, that he wasn't on the bench and I could care less.

"You know, heck, he was on the bench in the first half and we were down 9 points. So, you know, this is about the players in uniform. Kevin is gone. And he ain't coming back. The guys in uniform have to play."