Clippers forward Paul Pierce took the court for the final time Sunday in Game 7 of the first-round playoff series between the LA Clippers and the Utah Jazz. The Jazz left Staples Center with a 104-91 victory and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals.
Pierce had previously said he would retire after this season.
After the game, retired and current NBA players took to social media to congratulate him on a Hall of Fame-worthy career.
Congrats on a hall of fame career @paulpierce34 #truth #HOF
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 30, 2017
Thank you OG @paulpierce34
— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) April 30, 2017
Congrats @paulpierce34 .. helluva career! You def inspired me as a boy! Enjoy retirement! https://t.co/p2apC7xe9U
— Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) April 30, 2017
Congrats to The Truth @paulpierce34 on ONE hell of a career! #FutureHOF
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) April 30, 2017
THE TRUTH.
— KG's Area 21 (@KGArea21) April 30, 2017
Congrats on an incredible #NBA career, @paulpierce34! pic.twitter.com/5iSbLepeEe
Congrats on the great career @paulpierce34 .. you inspired a young kid from Roxbury to go get it 💯✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/Pkfr8kkQDK
— Wayne Selden Jr. (@WayneSeldenJr) May 1, 2017
In October 2016, Pierce went on record to say that he plans to retire as a Boston Celtic by signing a one-day contract with Boston once the 2016-17 season ends.
"I think I owe the fans and I owe myself that much, just to be able to put that uniform on one more time and go out that way, say I retired a Boston Celtic," Pierce told ESPN.
-- Meaghan Latella