In a surprise development, Kevin Garnett is out tonight against the Miami Heat.

"He was going to play, but then he had to be honest with me for a change," coach Doc Rivers said. "The hip flexor thing had been bothering him, and it's still bothering him."

While the original plan was to start both KG and Paul Pierce for the penultimate game of the regular season, enabling them to find their rhythm before the playoffs get underway this weekend, Garnett spoke up this morning and asked for the night off.

"I wanted to play him tonight," Rivers said. "My choice was tonight and give him a day off Thursday. But Kevin never comes in, so when he comes in and says, 'I need two more days,' that speaks volumes."

Instead, the plan is to start KG on Thursday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. Rivers said that if home-court advantage for the first round is on the line come Thursday, he won't be resting anyone that's healthy enough to play.