Paul Pierce Addresses Popular Theory From 2008 NBA Finals

The 10-time NBA All-Star was once accused of faking an injury.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

This week, Showtime Basketball hosted a sit-down conversation between Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart.

During the session, Brown asked Pierce about a popular theory from the 2008 NBA Finals.

In the first game of the championship series, Pierce landed on his feet awkwardly after trying to defend a Kobe Bryant jump shot. He was then escorted to the locker room in a wheelchair.

Minutes after the incident, Pierce emerged from the tunnel and checked back into the game. The quick comeback from his dramatic exit sparked rumors that Pierce simply needed to take a bathroom break and was not actually injured.

On this date 10 years ago, Paul Pierce's "Wheelchair Game" made its mark on the Celtics-Lakers rivalry. pic.twitter.com/h8jFq7IBeC

— ESPN (@espn) June 5, 2018

Pierce cleared the air on the topic.

“I sprained my MCL," Pierce answered. "Don’t believe all them rumors that I had to go to the bathroom.”

The Celtics legend spoke about getting wheeled off the court.

“I sprained my MCL, and the doctor said ‘no, no, no, don’t put no weight on it.’ I’m like alright, I’m going to stand up. He’s like don’t put no weight on it. Then they carried me. I didn’t ask for that. I didn’t say go get the wheelchair.”

Pierce explained that his knee felt fine when getting out of the wheelchair. 

“I stood up, and I was like ‘man, let me see how this feels,” said Pierce. “Alright, alright. It’s cool, it’s cool. I’m back out there. They didn’t let me put no weight on it, so when I put the weight on it I knew I was cool. I was like alright, I’m good, give me the knee brace because it felt kind of loose.”

The group’s laughter indicated that they weren’t too convinced with Pierce's sprained MCL story.

Check out the full video on YouTube. 

Further Reading

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Jaylen Brown Wants the Celtics to Get Back to the Defensive Identity that Helped them Reach the Finals

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Jaylen Brown Calls on the Celtics to Show Greater Urgency: 'It's Up to Leadership to Make Sure We Don't Drop the Ball'

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