When the Los Angeles Clippers lost to the Utah Jazz in Game 7 of their Western Conference quarterfinals series on Sunday, it marked the end of more than just a playoff series.
It was the last game ever for future first-ballot Hall of Famer Paul Pierce, who has played for the Clippers under his former Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers in a reduced role over the past few seasons.
The final point of Paul Pierce’s career. pic.twitter.com/VdZv8LPP4Y
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 30, 2017
A number of NBA legends including Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett congratulated Pierce, 39, knows also as ‘The Truth’ in a prepared video via The Player’s Tribune.
From @KobeBryant to Kevin Garnett, NBA legends say farewell to @PaulPierce34 pic.twitter.com/TSPvCbimjN
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) April 30, 2017
Pierce also received an outpouring of love from NBA players, media, and fans alike on Twitter.
Thank you, Paul Pierce. pic.twitter.com/m3JBiEfZjE
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 30, 2017
@paulpierce34 Thank you for everything 🙏🙌
— kevinhurley (@HurleyKevin14) May 1, 2017
Farewell, @paulpierce34
10X All-Star
4X All-NBA
2008 NBA champion
2008 Finals NBA
26,397 career points (15th) pic.twitter.com/P8mA4g5s2M— NBA.com (@NBAcom) April 30, 2017
Congrats on one heck of a career @paulpierce34 welcome to the other side! #FutureHOF https://t.co/15FVpV69tl
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) May 1, 2017
Always said yrs ago, whenever @paulpierce34 leaves the game, the game would be missing something. All time great. Respect big dog!#theTruTH
— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) May 1, 2017
Paul Pierce
10x All-Star
4x All-NBA teams
All-Rookie 1st team
3PT Champion
California Mr. Basketball
2008 Champion
2008 FMVPWhat a career pic.twitter.com/6dNIKoSTM6
— Celtics Junkies (@CelticsJunkies) April 30, 2017
Congratulations on a great career, @paulpierce34 #Celtics pic.twitter.com/ieO5CTSaoA
— CSN New England (@CSNNE) April 30, 2017
Pierce thanked everyone for their well wishes in a series of tweets posted to his official Twitter account.
THANKU TO ALL MY NBA BROTHERS AND SISTERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE GAME A GAME IVE LOVED MY WHOLE LIFE BUT NOW TEADY FOR A NEW CHAPTER STAY TUNED
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
I’d like to thank the fans media members who followed me u made he who I am as a player the Poeple who loved and the people who hated me TY
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
I’d like to thank the fans media members who followed me u made he who I am as a player the Poeple who loved and the people who hated me TY
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
I gave this game all a had my whole life I’m thankful for that also to my family who seen it all from the beginning thanku
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
To my my brothers Steve and Jamal Hosey u guys where my inspiration my Mom I looked at all ur hard work for us to keep food on the table
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
And ur hard work and determination my heart my work ethic I got that from u Thanku
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
To all the coaches who helped me along this journey coach Jose smith coach Stevenson Pat Roy Roy Williams Mike Lewis Thad Mcgrew Heroldjones
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
I kno there’s so many other people I’m missing when u go on a journey this long sometimes u forget some people who helped but thanku
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
Doc coach Obrian Rick Patino
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
Julie Pierce Prianna , Jazzy j Prince thanku
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
Oh Yeah city of Inglewood Stand Up !!! How can I forget my City
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
Can’t leave my Boston fans out Thanku the ride was unreal 😍😍😍😍love y’all forever
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) May 1, 2017
Now, only two players from the 1998 NBA Draft are still active in the league: Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki and Memphis Grizzlies small forward Vince Carter.
Only two remain.
Farewell, Paul Pierce. pic.twitter.com/8CuTtezZTt
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 30, 2017
Thanks for everything, Paul!