Boston Celtics icon Paul Pierce found himself in a bit of a predicament after he made some over-the-top predictions for Game 2, predictions that didn’t quite play out as he expected. In Game 1, the Celtics had an unfortunate slip-up, squandering a 20-point lead against the Knicks, ultimately losing in overtime. But Pierce, ever the optimistic supporter of his former team, made a rather bold statement before the second game. He said, “If the Celtics lose Game 2 at home, I promise you, I’ll be walking here tomorrow. I’m walking here. I’m walking here 15 miles. I’m walking here in my robe. I’m not wearing shoes, naked naked.”
Unfortunately for him, the Celtics indeed faltered again, falling to the Knicks in a nail-biting finish, 91-90, after leading by 20 points once more. It was a frustrating performance, and after witnessing the collapse, Pierce took to social media to humorously document his trek as he walked to work, clearly taking his promise seriously.
In a lively Instagram Live session, he was seen making the journey, sharing, “This is crazy, dog. I can’t believe it. I’m sweating. So I’m about four miles now. So do you think I’ve got another 16 miles?”
Pierce’s old teammate, Kevin Garnett, even encountered him during this unusual walk, perhaps offering a moment of camaraderie in the midst of chaos. When Pierce eventually arrived at the studio, he was humorously wheeled in—a nod to his “stroll of shame.”
Meanwhile, Celtics fans might have felt a sense of déjà vu. Just like in Game 1, the team struggled, only hitting 25% from beyond the arc and failing to score during the last 8:40 of the fourth quarter, which allowed the Knicks to snatch the win once again. Jalen Brunson clinched the game with two critical free throws, while Mikal Bridges shone, scoring 14 points in the fourth, signaling a remarkable turnaround for New York.
Game 3 awaits as these two teams meet again at Madison Square Garden on Saturday. It should be interesting to see how it plays out; perhaps Pierce will have more predictions—or walks—up his sleeve.
