HOUSTON ­— The heartbreaking and tragic day ended with Kevin Garnett and Kevin McHale embracing for several moments after the Celtics’ loss to the Rockets.

With emotions stemming from the Connecticut school shooting overflowing Friday at the Toyota Center, Garnett walked over to McHale after the Rockets’ 101-89 victory and held the Rockets coach, grieving the Nov. 24 death of his daughter, Alexandra, from lupus.