Paul Pierce hasn’t played in over a month for the Clippers but his coach with both the Clippers and Celtics, Doc Rivers, made sure he not only played, but started in what is his final game at TD Garden in Boston. Pierce has said he will retire at season’s end.
Pierce is the Celtics’ second all-time leading scorer behind John Havlicek and will have his number retired by the franchise at some point, and is still beloved by the franchise and the city of Boston after leading the Celtics to a NBA Championship in 2008.
Here is the tribute video the Celtics played for Pierce before the game:
Boston rises for a tribute to Paul Pierce! #NBAonABC pic.twitter.com/shrwXhw1d0
— NBA (@NBA) February 5, 2017
And in another emotional moment, here is Pierce kissing the Celtics logo at center court before tip as well:
Pierce is one of the truly great NBA players in the last 15 years, and the league without him isn’t going to quite be the same. He’s beloved around the league, but he holds a special place in Boston, and it’s easy to see his emotions overflowing in his last game in the city.
[ESPN]
