History of Paul Pierce in Timeline
Paul Pierce is a retired American professional basketball player who spent 19 seasons in the NBA. He is best known for his time with the Boston Celtics, where he won a championship in 2008 and earned the NBA Finals MVP award. Pierce was a ten-time All-Star and is regarded as one of the Celtics' all-time greatest players. After retiring from basketball, he has become a sports analyst, currently contributing to FS1's show Speak.
October 13, 1977: Paul Pierce's Birth
On October 13, 1977, Paul Anthony Pierce was born. He would later become a professional basketball player.
1995: Attends the University of Kansas
In 1995, Paul Pierce began his basketball career at the University of Kansas where he spent three years.
1995: Participated in McDonald's All-American Game
In 1995, Paul Pierce participated in the McDonald's All-American Game, where he was a contestant in the Slam Dunk Contest.
1996: Earned a spot on the USA's Under 22 team
During the summer of 1996, Paul Pierce earned a spot on the roster of the USA's Under 22 team and helped the United States go undefeated in the World Championship-qualifying tournament in Puerto Rico.
1997: Won Most Valuable Player honors in the Preseason NIT
In 1997, Paul Pierce won Most Valuable Player honors in the Preseason NIT.
1998: End of University of Kansas career
In 1998, Paul Pierce ended his basketball career at the University of Kansas after spending three years.
1998: Drafted by the Boston Celtics
In 1998, Paul Pierce was drafted by the Boston Celtics as the 10th overall pick and scored 19 or more points in 10 of his first 11 contests.
1998: Won Most Valuable Player honors in the Big 12 Conference tournament
In 1998, Paul Pierce won Most Valuable Player honors in the Big 12 Conference tournament and was named Associated Press First Team All-American.
2000: Played in 82 games
In the 2000 season, Paul Pierce appeared in 82 games and averaged 25.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.68 steals.
March 2001: Named NBA Player of the Month
In March 2001, Paul Pierce was named NBA Player of the Month after averaging 30.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.60 steals.
2001: Shaquille O'Neal calls Paul Pierce "The Truth"
In 2001, Shaquille O'Neal gave Paul Pierce the nickname "The Truth,"
2001: Led the Celtics to the playoffs for the first time in seven years
In the 2001 season, Paul Pierce led the Celtics to the playoffs for the first time in seven years and on to the Eastern Conference Finals.
2002: Made the All-Star team
From 2002, Paul Pierce made the All-Star team every season. He led the league in total points (2,144) in 2002 and was an All-NBA Third Team selection in 2002.
2003: All-NBA Third Team selection
In 2003, Paul Pierce was an All-NBA Third Team selection.
2006: Made the All-Star team
From 2002 to 2006, Paul Pierce made the All-Star team every season.
2007: Forms the "Big Three" with Garnett and Allen
In 2007, Paul Pierce combined with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen to form a "Big Three" on the Boston Celtics.
2007: Requested trade to Dallas Mavericks
In 2007, Paul Pierce requested a trade to the Dallas Mavericks and stated he would publicly demand a trade unless the Celtics acquired a co-star for him.
2007: Celtics acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett
Prior to the 2007 season, the Celtics acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett who combined with Pierce to form a "Big Three".
June 5, 2008: Injured in Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals
On June 5, 2008, during Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, Paul Pierce was injured but returned to lead the Celtics to victory. The Celtics won the championship, and Pierce was named NBA Finals MVP.
2008: Pierce and the Celtics looked to repeat as world champions
During the 2008-2009 NBA season, Pierce and the Celtics looked to repeat as world champions
2008: Wins NBA Championship and named Finals MVP
In 2008, Paul Pierce led the Boston Celtics to an NBA championship and was named the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
2008: Faced off against the Lakers in a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals
In 2010, the Celtics faced off against the Lakers in a rematch of the 2008 NBA Finals and took a 3–2 lead heading back to Los Angeles
2009: Named to the 2009 NBA All-Star Game
In 2009, Paul Pierce was named to the NBA All-Star Game and to the All-NBA Second Team.
June 29, 2010: Opted out of contract
On June 29, 2010, Paul Pierce opted out of his contract and invoked his early termination clause to become an unrestricted free agent.
July 1, 2010: Became an unrestricted free agent
On July 1, 2010, Paul Pierce became an unrestricted free agent.
November 3, 2010: Scored 20,000th career point
On November 3, 2010, during a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, Paul Pierce scored his 20,000th career point on a free throw, becoming the third player in Celtics history to reach that milestone solely in a Celtics uniform.
2010: Won the Three-Point Contest
In 2010, Paul Pierce became the first Celtic since Larry Bird to win the Three-Point Contest at the NBA All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas.
2010: Hit a buzzer-beater against the Miami Heat in the 2010 NBA Playoffs
In 2010, during Game 3 of the first round between the Celtics and Miami Heat, Paul Pierce hit a 21-foot jumper at the buzzer to beat Miami 100–98 and give the Celtics a 3–0 series lead.
2011: Paul Pierce averaged 19.4 points, 4.5 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game
For the 2011-2012 season, Paul Pierce averaged 19.4 points, 4.5 assists, and 5.2 rebounds per game as the Celtics finished the season 39–27 during the shortened lockout season.
February 7, 2012: Passed Larry Bird on Celtics' all-time scoring list
On February 7, 2012, Paul Pierce scored 15 points during a game against the Charlotte Bobcats to pass Larry Bird for second place on the Boston Celtics' all-time scoring list.
February 9, 2012: Named to tenth NBA All-Star appearance
On February 9, 2012, Paul Pierce was named to his tenth NBA All-Star appearance.
March 9, 2012: Played 1,000th career game with the Celtics
On March 9, 2012, Paul Pierce played his 1,000th career game with the Celtics against the Portland Trail Blazers.
2012: Honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans
In 2012, Paul Pierce was honored as one of the 35 Greatest McDonald's All-Americans.
2012: The 2012–13 season did not go as planned for the Celtics
The 2012–13 season did not go as planned for the Celtics, with All-Star point guard Rajon Rondo out with a torn ACL injury.
January 27, 2013: Recorded first triple-double of the season
On January 27, 2013, Paul Pierce recorded his first triple-double of the season against the Miami Heat with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.
February 10, 2013: Recorded second triple-double of the season
On February 10, 2013, Paul Pierce recorded his second triple-double of the season against the Denver Nuggets with 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 14 assists, becoming the oldest player to record at least 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 12 assists.
March 29, 2013: Recorded third triple-double of the season
On March 29, 2013, Paul Pierce recorded his third triple-double of the season against the Atlanta Hawks with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
June 28, 2013: Trade deal reached with the Brooklyn Nets
On June 28, 2013, the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets reached a deal to trade Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry for future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts and Kris Humphries, Gerald Wallace, Kris Joseph, MarShon Brooks, and Keith Bogans.
July 12, 2013: Completed trade to the Brooklyn Nets
On July 12, 2013, the trade of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry to the Brooklyn Nets was completed.
July 2013: Traded to the Brooklyn Nets
In July 2013, Paul Pierce was traded to the Brooklyn Nets along with Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry.
2013: Extension kept him in Boston through the 2013-14 season.
In 2010, Paul Pierce and the Celtics verbally agreed to a four-year extension keeping him in Boston through the 2013-14 season.
April 11, 2014: Pierce scores 25,000 career points
On April 11, 2014, Paul Pierce became the fourth active NBA player and the 18th player in NBA history to score 25,000 career points during a game against Atlanta.
July 17, 2014: Pierce signs with the Washington Wizards
On July 17, 2014, Paul Pierce signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Washington Wizards.
November 25, 2014: Pierce passes Jerry West on NBA scoring list
On November 25, 2014, Paul Pierce scored 14 points against the Atlanta Hawks, surpassing Jerry West for 17th place on the NBA's career scoring list.
2014: Signed with the Washington Wizards
In 2014, Paul Pierce signed with the Washington Wizards as a free agent.
2014: Traded for future first-round picks
On June 28, 2013, the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets reached a deal to trade Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry for future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts.
January 14, 2015: Pierce passes Jason Kidd for fourth all-time in three-pointers made
On January 14, 2015, Paul Pierce passed Jason Kidd for fourth all-time in three-pointers made during a 105–99 win over the Chicago Bulls.
February 2, 2015: Pierce passes Alex English for 15th place on the NBA's career scoring list
On February 2, 2015, Paul Pierce passed Alex English for 15th place on the NBA's career scoring list with 11 points against the Charlotte Hornets.
May 9, 2015: Pierce makes game-winning shot against Atlanta Hawks
On May 9, 2015, Paul Pierce made a two-point shot at the buzzer to defeat the Atlanta Hawks 103–101, giving the Wizards a 2–1 series lead in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. He finished the game with 13 points and 7 rebounds.
June 27, 2015: Pierce opts out of contract with Wizards
On June 27, 2015, Paul Pierce opted out of the second year of his contract with the Washington Wizards to become a free agent.
July 10, 2015: Pierce signs with the Los Angeles Clippers
On July 10, 2015, Paul Pierce signed a three-year, $10 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
September 26, 2016: Pierce announces his final NBA season
On September 26, 2016, Paul Pierce announced that the 2016–17 season would be his last in the NBA.
2016: Traded for future first-round picks
On June 28, 2013, the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets reached a deal to trade Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry for future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts.
February 5, 2017: Pierce's last game in Boston
On February 5, 2017, in what would be his last game in Boston, Paul Pierce started and played the first five minutes before heading to the bench. He hit a three-pointer with 19 seconds left, scoring his only points of the game.
April 10, 2017: Pierce scores 10 points in final minutes against Houston Rockets
On April 10, 2017, Paul Pierce scored all of his 10 points in the final five minutes of the Clippers' 125–96 win over the Houston Rockets. He subsequently moved into 15th on the NBA career scoring list with 26,397 points.
April 30, 2017: Pierce's NBA career ends with Game 7 loss to Utah Jazz
On April 30, 2017, Paul Pierce's 19-year NBA career ended at the final buzzer of Game 7 against the Utah Jazz, where he had six points and three rebounds in 21 minutes. The Clippers lost their first-round playoff series.
June 28, 2017: Clippers waive Pierce
On June 28, 2017, Paul Pierce was waived by the Los Angeles Clippers.
July 17, 2017: Signed with the Celtics to retire as a Celtic
On July 17, 2017, the Boston Celtics signed Paul Pierce to a contract, allowing him to retire as a member of the Celtics organization.
August 18, 2017: Celtics announce Pierce's jersey retirement
On August 18, 2017, the Boston Celtics announced that Paul Pierce's jersey would be retired on February 11, 2018.
2017: Celtics also received the right to swap first-round picks in the 2017 draft
On June 28, 2013, as part of the trade deal the Celtics also received the right to swap first-round picks in the 2017 draft.
2018: Traded for future first-round picks
On June 28, 2013, the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets reached a deal to trade Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Jason Terry for future first-round picks in the 2014, 2016, and 2018 drafts.
2021: Named to NBA 75th Anniversary Team and Inducted into Hall of Fame
In 2021, Paul Pierce was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
March 19, 2024: Pierce appears on 'Extended Family'
On March 19, 2024, Paul Pierce played himself in a fictional Boston Celtics fundraising event on an episode of the TV show "Extended Family" entitled "The Consequences of Being Irish".
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