Paul Pierce Walks 20 Miles To Work After Celtics Lose Game 2 Against The Knicks

Paul Pierce fulfilled the cardio goals of most people on Thursday (May 8) when he completed a 20-mile walk to work. However, the former NBA star did not complete the journey to close rings on his Apple watch.

The 47-year-old promised that if the Boston Celtics lost their second game against the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference semifinals, he would travel to work on foot.

“If the Celtics lose game two at home, I promise you I’ll walk in here tomorrow,” he exclaimed to his Speak co-host. “I’m telling you right now…In a robe, barefoot…I’ma be up at 3.”

Unfortunately for Pierce, the Celtics blew a 20-point lead and lost the game by one point. The sports media professional, who was drafted by the Boston team in 1998 and played 15 seasons, kept true to his promise. He documented the long journey on social media.

“This is crazy, dog I can’t believe this. C’s got me out here like this. I’m sweating. So I’m about 4 miles in right now. So I think I got another 16 miles?” he questioned as traffic sped past in a clip shared on X by a New York basketball fan page. “I’ve been going for about an hour and a half right now. I’ll keep y’all updated. I’m a man of my word, though.”

In the end, Pierce eventually made it to the studio. A clip shared by the official Speak account on X showed the California native being wheeled to the stage, cheered on by green and white pom poms as he made his entrance.

“I made it y’all,” he exclaimed as he waved his own bright green pom pom.

“Let’s give it up for Paul Pierce, a man of his word,” elaborated Joy Taylor.

Pierce also shared a screenshot of his iPhone health data to X, showcasing that he took an estimated 33,465 steps on his exhaustive journey. Hopefully, for the former professional athlete, Boston avenges him with a win.

The two teams are set to face off again on Saturday in game three of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals. The Knicks currently lead the series 2-0.

“It’s an opportunity to show what we’re made of,” said Celtics star Jaylen Brown after this week’s defeat, per CNN. “Obviously, we wouldn’t like to be in this position, but we’re here now, so we got to respond.”