NBA
Celtics Legend Paul Pierce Shares Gruesome Photos of Finger Injury, Will Undergo Surgery
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All posts by James FoglioUpdated18 May 2024
Boston Celtics legend and NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce was hospitalized and will undergo surgery following a gruesome finger injury, he shared on social media Friday.
Ex-Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce says finger requires surgery; injury caused a ton of blood, a few broken bones
Pierce, 46, didn't explain what caused his finger injury. However, it was quite a healthcare based on the images he posted.
His injury “resulted in a ton of blood and a few broken bones,” according to TMZ Sports. The 10-time All-Star did share that he would need surgery.
“I'm good by the way just broke a couple fingers gonna have surgery on one,” Pierce said on social media.
The Truth was wearing a patient gown while in a hospital bed at the time he took those photos. Pierce shared a nasty shot of what appeared to be his right ring fingertip pointed away from his thumb. Another pic is zoomed in on the other side of his phalange, which was busted right open.
Although Pierce's injury caused concern among Celtics and NBA fans, his message seems to indicate he will be fine after his surgery.
Pierce was selected 10th overall by the Celtics in the 1998 NBA Draft out of the University of Kansas. As a 6-foot-7 small forward/shooting guard, he played his first 15 seasons (1998-2013) with Boston before making stops with the Brooklyn Nets (2013-14 season), Washington Wizards (2014-15 season), and Los Angeles Clippers (2015-17).
In 1,343 games (1,285 starts) across his 19-year career, he averaged 19.7 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and 34.2 minutes. Plus, he averaged 44.5% shooting from the field, 36.8% shooting from 3-point range, and 80.6% shooting at the free throw line.
Pierce led Boston to its 17th NBA championship
Additionally, Pierce was a member of Boston's “Big Three,” along with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen.
Under coach Doc Rivers, Pierce led the Celtics to their 17th championship in the 2008 NBA Finals against Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers. The California native was named Finals MVP.
He also helped the Celtics return to the Finals in 2010, but the C's lost in seven games to the Lakers. In the same 2009-10 season, Pierce won the 3-Point Contest during NBA All-Star Weekend.
In July 2013, Pierce was traded to the Nets along with Garnett and Jason Terry. He then signed with the Wizards as a free agent in 2014. After one season with the Wizards, Pierce signed with the Clippers, reuniting him with former Celtics coach Doc Rivers. He spent two seasons with the Clippers before retiring in 2017.
On July 17, 2017, Pierce signed a ceremonial contract with the Celtics in order to retire with the team.
His No. 34 jersey was retired by the franchise on Feb. 11, 2018.
His jersey was raised to the rafters of TD Garden in a postgame ceremony following the Celtics-Cavaliers game, becoming the 23rd person in Celtics history to be honored.
In October 2021, Pierce was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team.
Pierce, Larry Bird, and John Havlicek are the only Celtics players to have scored more than 20,000 career points.
