< Back to Front Page Text size – +

Pierce: 'Great chance I'll play on Sunday'

Email|Link|Comments (52) Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff June 6, 2008 01:29 PM

TD BANKNORTH GARDEN -- Celtics forward Paul Pierce walked gingerly into the media room this afternoon to answer questions about the right knee sprain he suffered in the third quarter of last night's Game 1 victory over the Lakers. His knee was heavily wrapped, and he walked up the podium stairs with a visible limp.

“I can walk on it, I can bend it, but there’s a little sharp pain on the inside of my knee,” said Pierce. “There’s a little pain in there right now so I’m going to keep it wrapped, iced.”

Pierce said he would be receiving treatment 2-3 times a day, and the team will continue to evaluate how the knee responds.

But what about Game 2? Pierce was asked the critical question twice during his press conference, and he answered it a little differently both times.

"I mean, there can be a chance [I won't play]," he said the first time. "Right now if the game was today, I most likely wouldn't be able to play today. Thank goodness for the schedule being that we get a couple days [off] now."

The second time he answered the question, Pierce was a little more emphatic.

"I think there's a great chance I'll play on Sunday," he said. "Just knowing myself, knowing my threshold for pain. Great chance I will be playing on Sunday."

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Pierce definitely wouldn't be able to practice today, but said it won't be a problem.

"We're not going to do anything anyway," said Rivers. "We're going to watch film today and shoot free throws. I don't think he could play today, to be honest. But you know, he'll be ready by Sunday."

Rivers admitted it was huge for the teams to have two full days off before Game 2.

"Obviously it's nice not playing until Sunday," said Rivers. "That gives [Pierce and Kendrick Perkins] time to heal. I expect both of them to play, honestly. I just don't know how much they can give us yet."

Pierce had to be carried off the court midway through the third quarter of last night's Game 1. After being taken to the locker room in a wheelchair, Pierce checked back into the game less than two minutes later to a standing ovation from the crowd.

Just as he did last night, Lakers coach Phil Jackson today questioned the severity of Pierce’s injury.

"I don't know if the angels visited him at halftime or in that time-out period that he had or not, but he didn't even limp when he came back out on the floor," said Jackson. "I don't know what was going on there (laughter). Was Oral Roberts back there in their locker room (laughter)?"

Pierce admitted he's a bit put off by all the attention following last night's drama.

“It’s crazy to me," he said. "I’ve never been carried off the court. It was sort of embarrassing, truthfully. I should have just laid their for 5 more minutes…If I ever get carried off the court again, I’m not coming back.”

Perkins walked onto the parquet floor with a slight limp to do his interviews today. His left ankle was heavily taped. Perkins sprained the ankle in the second half of last night's game and told Rivers he was about 60 percent when he returned to the game.

Perkins said he would have been able to practice today if the team had held one.

"It's just a little sore right now, but it's all right," said Perkins. "The swelling's not bad, but it's in pain."

Perkins was asked if he would be able to play Sunday.

"Yeah, I'm going to play," said Perkins. "It's the Finals."

To clarify, Perkins said he wasn't in the locker room at the same time as Pierce during the third quarter of Game 1. Pierce was heading back onto the court when Perkins limped off.

"I guess I gave him some energy," joked Perkins.

« Back to Front Page

52 comments so far...

Big Chief Triangle is good people. Maybe someone can ask him if he stands by hsi statement in his book The Last Season that he wasn't surprised when Kobe was arrested for rape?

Posted by holdenm@kochind.com June 6, 08 01:56 PM

Paul Pierce is the biggest flopper in the NBA. They took him into the locker room in a WHEELCHAIR. What a fake.

Posted by Larry June 6, 08 02:30 PM

yeah dude, he faked the injury...are you retarded or something, dont be bitter just because the celts overpowered your precious lakers kobe played like garbage and gasol revealed how soft he is, he's probably still looking over his shoulder to make sure KG isnt gunna come flying over him

and besides rip hamilton is by far the biggest flopper in the federation

Posted by sully June 6, 08 03:14 PM

Larry how is Paul Pierce the biggest flopper?? That title belongs to a guy that is now on vacation...Lebron James. So you call the guy a flopper because he was in a wheelchair going into the locker room after he hurt his knee??? Your a sour Laker fan huh? You scared? haha

Posted by nellie June 6, 08 03:22 PM

@ #2Yes and the doctor wasted his time taping the whole area around the knee and the swelling and limp every one saw was a fake. You must be the expert here, some kind of a Dr.Phil or Gloria Allred .

Posted by CHAREE June 6, 08 03:54 PM

Let Laker fans, their media-- and apparantly, even their coach-- think what they want. Maybe it will get into their heads.

Just win, baby, as Al Davis used to say. One down, three to go. The Laker crowd can cry and whine and point fingers and stomp their feet and throw tantrums all summer...who cares?

Whatever it takes to get Banner #17 hanging in the rafters is fine with me. Even if Pierce is playing head games...again, who cares? So much of sports is psychological. Overcoming pain (as Pierce is doing, and has done for years)...psyching out your opponent...it's all in the mind. Let them whine and over think things. GOOD!!!!!

Posted by Matt Talvi June 6, 08 04:21 PM

Hell yes he will play, he didn't get hurt. Scalabrini had more of a chance of ruining his suit than "Pierce" (he now just goes by his last name because of his "soccer approach" to the game) had at sustaining an injury. I can't believe that a great sports town like Bastin can't bang its own. Go Lake Show.

Posted by Trevor from California June 6, 08 04:57 PM

hey, the pierce thing is suspicious as all heck..he got scared and got panicky...
james versus....pierce.....lets not waste any more time comparing those two, Pierce pales in all criteria......the way james gets mangled heading to the rim isnt even close to this nice touchy-poo fouls Pierce gets calls on....not even close...i thought pierce might have had a bad memory, thought it was a regular season game 2 years ago and figured he could get "injured" and leave the game....then he realized holy whatever its the finals - I gotta get back out there!

just watch..he'll be fine...if he is its all put on..and Stern can smile at his WWF clone former bball league..it gets media attention and ratings...for now

...the game was good but I hate this bigger than the game stuff that permeates this NBA....

I just want good hard bball - that acting needs to move elsewhere...

Celts of old, NBA gamers of old - this game and your game have very little in common....a shame!!

Posted by ouch June 6, 08 05:03 PM

FALL Pierce was eating breakfast this morning and heard a POP. He immediately fell to the floor writhing in pain. In the midst of calling for his wheelchair, he noticed two angels, Snap and Crackle, staring at him from the table above. Inspired, he got up and finishd his cereal without the aid of his teammates. There's a GOOD CHANCE he'll be attending dinner tonight!!!

Whew....the Celtics avoided another huge setback. Apparently all balloons, bubble wrap and even Rice Crispies have been banned from the TDwhatever it's called Garden in order to prevent anymore confusion of genuine injuries. Hopefully we can now get back to playing basketball!!! You can take the boy out of Hollywood, but you can't take Hollywood out of the boy!! Phil Jackson knows Willis Reed, he played basketball with Willis Reed, and FALL Pierce, you are NO Willis Reed!!!

Posted by Jason June 6, 08 06:34 PM

You guys are all wrong!!! Pierce isn't hurt, he was just setting it up so he can get his Handicap Plaque for the summer!! Parking can be a real hassle you know? What a "stand up" American!!

Posted by Jason June 6, 08 06:53 PM

If you guys would like to see just how desperate the LA media is/fans are at this point, read this story in one of LA's papers today. It is utterly ridiculous and putrid:

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-plaschke6-2008jun06,0,5079539.column

Posted by Jamey Burke June 6, 08 07:37 PM

Let Bill Plaschke know how RIDICULOUS his story about P-double was!
Email him with all your fury Celts' fans!!!!

bill.plaschke@latimes.com

Posted by JameyBurke June 6, 08 07:48 PM

I want to chime in as a Laker fan & say only someone with a highly developed sense of paranoia believes Pierce is deranged, or clever, enough to have plotted some elaborate fake injury scheme that he would use one day if he ever made the finals. But c'mon, Celts fans, lighten up and enjoy a laugh with the rest of the country, even if it is at one of your hero's expense. When the episode did occur, you would have thought by his reaction and crying his leg was hurt bad enough to make Joe Theisman cringe. And the whole carryed off the court routine and the wheelchair for a "tweeked knee". His emergence back in a few minutes playing the resurrected savior routine. And now the crutches! I've seen 5 year old girls tough it up in a soccer game better than that. It's just a game. Have some fun!

Posted by Keith England June 6, 08 09:10 PM

"Whatever it takes to get banner #17 hanging in the rafters is fine with me" writes Matt Talvi in this forum. Are any of the Boston fans willing to call that kind of thinking out, or do you all believe that! It's the Bill Belichek line of thinking, and the reason the country relished the Pats Super Bowl loss.

Posted by Keith England June 6, 08 09:19 PM

I saw P2 after the game, after the interviews etc and he was in pain and walking with a severe limp. This was away from all the cameras etc. To all of you who think he was faking...get real.

Posted by C.M. June 6, 08 09:34 PM

Who cares if he really is hurt or not, cry me a river.........Just GO CELTICS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by The Celtic Gurl June 6, 08 09:55 PM

You lakers fans are already bitter, and the series is just starting. Give the guy the benefit of the doubt. Paul Pierce has never EVER flopped his way off the court and into the locker room. If he leaves it's because he's hurting. The man is tough. He lived through multiple stab wounds in a vicious attack. He played a whole SEASON with a golf ball-sized absess on his elbow from all those "touchy-poo" fouls people gave him.
You should be whining about your rapist hero who didn't make his bunnies on the biggest stage of them all. He lamed out on you. What a fraud. Wait til you see the real Celts defense on Sunday. You're lucky if your team hits 70 points. The Lake show is going to drown.

Posted by PierceFan June 6, 08 10:29 PM

bitter L'sfans, haters - nuff said - back under the bridge trolls, make me some bacon & eggs

Posted by JMac June 6, 08 11:06 PM

The Fake and shake of 2008. If you're goona get wheelchaired off the court and carried by your teammates you better be hurt so bad that you can't return. PATHETIC. And if It wasn't a fake watch Pierce as he returns from the locker room looking up at the crowd . And the Rocky theme song just happened to be ready to go. All you did was piss us off. Lakers in 5. Enjoy the one game cuz thats all you're getting.

Posted by The Real Truth You can't handle. June 7, 08 03:30 AM

We all remember the kid who got stabbed 11!!!! times in 2002 and showed up B4 the start of the season, right? Pierce is ornery and tougher than a lot of his contemporaries. Injured or not, give the man credit.

Posted by Michael June 7, 08 06:30 AM

Watch Out! Lakers will bounced back in game 2. Go Kobe!

Posted by Jay June 7, 08 11:06 AM

whatever... Celtics already win game 1 and for sure they will still win it on game 2. if ever jersey #34 flops it, who cares? Pierce will stay as a hero and that's already in the history. as long as he's playing, no Bryant or Lebron or Smith can win it over our homecourt. Pistons was just too lucky to do it at "the GARDEN" (it's OK, they answered it with 2 in return).
just come out there and play clean Paul. with Kevin, Ray & the rest of the team you can with that trophy even at LA with the guidance of coach Rivers!!!
Celts rÜleZ!

Posted by DanVir June 7, 08 11:24 AM

com'on, you fools really dont understand what final is??? ryt?? try playing in the nba so all of you can feel how hard and tough playing with those guys, stupid shits..

Posted by betadine June 7, 08 12:11 PM

BOSTON ALL THE WAY... WE WON THATS ALL THAT MATTERS

Posted by RICKY June 7, 08 12:15 PM

PIERCE IS THE BIGGEST FAKER IVE EVER SEEN HOW DO YOU LEAVE IN A WHEELCHAIR THEN MAGICALLY WALK RIGHT BACK INTO THE GAME AND RUN AROUND AND PLAY DEFENSE WITH NO LIMP NO SIGN OF PAIN WHEN BODYS ARE WEIGHING YOU DOWN PEOPLE ARE FOULING PUSHING YOU AROUND?ITS A AGGRESIVE GAME IF YOU HAVE A SLIGHT INJURY IT WOULD BE NOTICED.ITS PROBLY ONE OF DOCS TANTICS.IF THIS IS GONNA BE HOW THE NBA IS GONNA CREATE A SERIES TO BE THEN WOW I CAN HARDLY WAIT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN GAME 2.I SAY JUST LET THEM PLAY JUST BECAUSE ITS A CLASSICAL MATCH UP IT DOESNT MEAN EVERY GAME HAS TO HAVE A TWIST.WHATS NEXT THE FAMOUS RAMBIS CLOSE LINE ON TURIAF OR THE FAMOUS MAGIC HOOK SHOT TO WIN THE GAME FROM KOBE?BOSTONS A GOOD TEAM AND SO IS LA DONT DWELL ON THE PASS!!!KEEP ITCLEAN AND HONEST AND LET THE BEST TEAM WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!GO LAKERS

Posted by ALBERT RODRIGUEZ June 7, 08 12:16 PM

Ok so i'm only 18, but i think i've played more sports than all of these idiots from the way they talk. First off i don't think any of you know what it's like to get hurt like pierce did, but i do. My sophmore year of high school i screwed up my ankle wrestling cause i had a kids full body weight (and he weighed the same as me) come down on my ankle on the other hand pierce had kendrick perkins a guy who out weighs him by quite a bit land awkwardly on him and make his knee bend the wrong way. You wanna know how i discribed how it felt, i said "i heard pops and tears when it happened" and then i grabbed my leg and was in pain. And what a coincidence that's exactly what Pierce said and did. So i think you people need to quit whinning about whether pierce got injured or not, cause the fact is, he's the only person that really knows, so quit arguing and just enjoy the Finals, because its not everyday that you get to see Boston and LA in the finals.

Posted by Beat LA June 7, 08 12:55 PM

go boston! we are the champion. beat la! we can make it.
just trust to your self! and be a one team. i want you to be a champion.
big three is my idol! go!
i trust you guys!
god bless!

Posted by ryan paul repuesto June 7, 08 01:05 PM

Uhh... I don't get how he flopped. He got hit by HIS OWN TEAMMATE. What would possibly be the benefit of flopping? This is a guy who got stabbed multiple times in a club and was two inches away from dying but was playing two weeks later. He just plays through pain. He always does. He only rested last season because the Celtics had zero chance of going anywhere.

Posted by Mister Sister June 7, 08 01:10 PM

what could be the reason for paul pierce to fake the injury ? motivation ? so what if he is taken off the court in a wheel chair then comes back to bury the purple and gold in the third with his almost larry legend like play ? this is the finals people , pierce is not the first player who continued to play despite his injury. stop whining , shut up mr. jackson and just figure out a way to beat the celts...if you can.

Posted by peter calleja - baltimore , md June 7, 08 01:12 PM

Pierce is hurt watch out here come the lakers.....

Posted by fausto June 7, 08 01:46 PM

jeesh. I can't believe people actually think that he faked it. If you took anatomy in highschool or college or even if you just had a bit of common sense, you would now that the human knee is designed for flexion and extension NOT hyperextension which is what happeed to Paul. It would take trumendous choreography from everyone not to mention a lot of PRACTICE to magically make Kobe go right with Peirce trailing, fade away, with Kendrick Perkins jumping from behind and landing perfectly and gently on Peirce's calf and make sure that he doesn't really get hurt. I've seen a lot if injuries since I am a strength and conditioning coach myself, and no question, that injury hurts like hell. Please stop questioning the validity of the injury because it just makes you sound stupid. Unless you really are.

Posted by Chapsuey June 7, 08 01:47 PM

Everybody's talking about paul pierce's injury like thats the reason the celtics smacked the lakers. first of all they could not stop KG they could not stop RAY and we shut kobe DOWN.laker fans need to understand gasol is trash along with the rest of the lakers and that BOSTON is not denver,utah,or the old ass spurs face it. GO BOSTON NEW NBA CHAMPIONS.

Posted by Hassan June 7, 08 01:49 PM

For those who question Pierce.......When was the last time, in his 10 year career, that he was considered soft? By Players or Coaches?

Posted by Scott June 7, 08 02:03 PM

?? maybe when he was carried off the court by 5 players, and crying in his wheelchair? or was it when he led his team to their worst record last season?? i don't know!!

Posted by CRAIG June 7, 08 02:25 PM

it was for real,,, when he went down, it was really painful. Fortunately he could come game late in the game.
However, he will never be on 100% on Sunday.

Posted by Fábio Augusto June 7, 08 03:20 PM

stop talking about flop idiots! you even dont know what is meniscal tear! to all the morons who talked bout fake or flop injury on pierce, just 2 give u a simple idea,its VERY PAINFUL..the worst thing can happen is u cant play until its fully recover.but pierce is just a tough guy men..its been 10 years before he got this chance to play in the finals.it's all bout HEART & DEDICATION TO THE GAME & TO THE TEAM! so just stop talking bout flop & fake nonsense ideas of yours.in addition,with or without pierce,d celtics is the best team ryt now & dey will be crown as champs by kicking the lakers butts AS A TEAM..GO CELTICS!! BEAT L.A.!!

Posted by CHAMPS_CELTICS June 7, 08 03:52 PM

KOBE BABY FORGET CETLICS LAKERS ALL DAY ERRDAY

Posted by aluux June 7, 08 03:57 PM

really painful?? you feel pierce's pain? injury or not, the way pierce handled it was pathetic!... to all you celtic fans- remember, this is a 7 game series, their injuries will catch up with them...and i gaurantee kobe wont go 9 for 26 again...dont start celebrating too soon.....
GO LAKERS!!!

Posted by CRAIG June 7, 08 04:00 PM

go lakers go,all you losers who are talking in stupid way,1 down and 4 to go:)...kobe is the mvp

Posted by joe June 7, 08 05:42 PM

lolz , Lakers can't win the Finals without Shaq , Lakers cannot win the Finals without Gasol , lol , LAKERS sucks!

Posted by alvin June 7, 08 05:52 PM

What about Kobe and his "back" against the Jazz last round (game four)? Did the magical angels come visit him during the game to take away the pain when he made nice shots or good passes only to leave when he looked like crap out there? Seriously did any of you see that game, talk about a guy milking an injury... Pirece did no such thing. Phil is the most classless coach in the NBA. Go get 'em BOSTON!!!!

Posted by Jake June 7, 08 07:21 PM

How embarrassing! carried off and wheel chaired in tears. TEARS! Just to come back 5 mins later to the theme of Rocky! What a FAKE! This is a joke right? No, Paul Pierce riminds me of a soccer player faking an injury. What's next Paul, a fake a heart attack and come back after you are jump started?

Posted by Robert June 7, 08 07:58 PM

Paul pierce is a fake dawg seriously. He just wanted the attention. Im sick of tired of hearing about the celtics they suck and there overrated real talk! the east sucks! hawks and 76ers made it!!! that shows how weak the east is! and how there is no competition on the east! if the celtics were on the west! omg they probaly wouldnt even be in the playoffs! ahaha XD.

Posted by perez June 7, 08 08:12 PM

Paul queer shoulb be on wheeltabe instead. Baster celtics will loose in the finals . no excuse. GO LAKERS IN 6.

Posted by huy nguyen June 7, 08 09:44 PM

if only the lakers read u celtic fans comments u would fire them up and ultimately sweep the next four ur asking wat is he talking about win in ur building and sweep u at our arena because the c's are 2-7 away from home while were 8-0 at home.
Lakers in 5

Posted by Jorge June 7, 08 11:34 PM

Paul was such pain in ass like a clown in the circus so that every body put the
glimes on him. Hey Paul ! next time KOBE will kick your butt in the next 4 games.

There's no excuses next time! GO LAKERS !!! POUND THE CELTICS.

Posted by BENJIE PERALTA June 8, 08 12:02 AM

All you laker fans give boston defence credit or is it just coincidence that the number 1 and number 2 leading scorer scorer just could not find there range or is that just the name BOSTON put them in a panic. BOSTON in 6.

2008 CHAMPS.
JUNE-07-2008

Posted by Andrew Kemp June 8, 08 12:04 AM

GeeZ... i dunno y u guys think that pierce faked it, actually i think he didnt.. i exprienced that b4.. i twisted my knee getting hit by an opponent.. for the 1st 5mins it was exruciating then d pain stopped.. so u guys better stop whining about d fact that YOUR LAKERS GET BEATEN! i mean c'mon just enjoi d freakin game.. its not evryday u see two great teams battling 4 d championship.. lol XD

Posted by jeytz June 8, 08 07:01 AM

as a laker fan i was a bit suspicious about pierce going down on his knee because it would of been dissapointing to see him out for the series however to the extent of his injury im not too sure about. All these people saying how much it hurt etc.. Did u come back 5 minutes later in the NBA?? i dont think soo. I think he hurt his knee just not as bad as he made it out to be. Glad to see him back though. Lets enjoy the next 6 games hopefully n enjoy these 2 great teams playin... Ya'll forgetting basketball is bout 1 love.. its 1 game.. enjoy it and may the best team win..

Posted by Luke Brodie June 8, 08 08:38 AM

go boston,,, ever since i hate kobe he is boastful....... stop kobe,, and we win.. good luck boston,,,

Posted by bongkloks June 8, 08 09:15 AM

When a miniscus is strained, the intitial pain is acute. It is easy to confuse the pain with a ligament or cartilage tear. Sometimes the joint gets slightly displaced, and locks out. However, because of the elasticity of the miniscus the pain becomes manageable after the knee is in it's proper position, and no lunger under strain.

I'm sure that the Lakers fans that are calling Pierce a "faker" are uneducated, ignorant, and sedentary. So we'll have to excuse them for not being able to empathize with the pain incurred by a first class athlete. Nor should we expect them to be able to understand it intellectually.

Posted by Ty June 8, 08 03:38 PM