How Paul Pierce’s Celtics Loyalty Led to a 20-Mile Bathrobe Walk
Paul Pierce, the former Boston Celtics star known as “The Truth,” lived up to his nickname in unexpected fashion Thursday by honoring an outlandish promise that sent him walking 20 miles through Los Angeles dressed only in a bathrobe after incorrectly guaranteeing a Celtics playoff victory.
The Basketball Hall of Famer and current FS1 analyst documented his unusual journey via Instagram Live, departing well before sunrise and spending nearly eight hours on foot after the defending NBA champion Celtics suffered a shocking 91-90 loss to the New York Knicks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series, falling behind 0-2 despite having home court advantage.
How a Championship Pedigree Led to a Championship Walk
Pierce’s journey from NBA champion to bathrobe-clad pedestrian began during Wednesday’s broadcast of the FS1 sports talk show “Speak,” where he serves as a regular analyst alongside Joy Taylor and Keyshawn Johnson. When asked about his confidence in the Celtics bouncing back from their Game 1 loss, Pierce’s loyalty to his former franchise overwhelmed his better judgment.
“If the Celtics lose Game 2 at home, I promise you, I am walking here tomorrow,” Pierce declared emphatically on air, according to the Associated Press. The 2008 NBA Finals MVP even specified the attire for his potential punishment: “I’m walking here, 15 miles. I’m walking here in my robe, no shoes on, barefeet, if the Celtics lose tonight.” Pierce’s co-hosts tried to dissuade him from making such a bold promise, but the 10-time All-Star remained steadfast, instructing viewers to “put the house on this game.”
A Tale of Two Collapses
For three quarters of Game 2, it appeared Pierce’s faith in Boston would be rewarded. The Celtics built a commanding 20-point lead midway through the contest, leading 73-53 with just 15 minutes remaining in regulation. Their star players were performing well, and TD Garden was rocking with the expectation of a series-tying victory that would validate Pierce’s confidence.
But in a stunning turn of events reminiscent of Game 1’s collapse, Boston’s offense stalled at the worst possible time. According to NBA.com, the Celtics scored on just one of 12 possessions during a crucial fourth-quarter stretch, allowing the Knicks to chip away at the lead. New York ultimately outscored Boston 38-17 over the final 15 minutes, securing a 91-90 victory that silenced the home crowd and sealed Pierce’s fate. It marked the second consecutive game where the Knicks erased a 20-point deficit at TD Garden, putting the defending champions in a precarious 0-2 hole despite having home-court advantage.
A Man of His Word
Rather than renege on his promise or downplay the severity of his commitment, Pierce embraced his self-imposed punishment with surprising dignity. Setting out around 5 a.m. Pacific time on Thursday morning, he began documenting what would become a nearly eight-hour journey through the streets of Los Angeles. “All right, time for me to get to steppin’,” he announced in his first Instagram Live update, calling himself a “man of my word.”
While Pierce made the wise decision to wear shoes rather than travel barefoot as originally promised, he remained faithful to the bathrobe stipulation, creating a surreal sight for early morning commuters. “I cant believe the Celtics got me out here like this, dog,” he lamented in one video update. Despite his obvious discomfort, Pierce maintained good humor throughout the ordeal, even engaging with sidewalk hecklers who recognized him around the 9 a.m. hour. “You lost that bet, huh?” one passerby remarked, as Pierce took the ribbing in stride and continued his marathon trek. He finally arrived at work around 1 p.m., completing the 20.2-mile journey that had begun roughly eight hours earlier.
Pierce’s Legacy Both On and Off the Court
While this unusual episode adds an unexpected chapter to Pierce’s post-playing career, it shouldn’t overshadow his considerable basketball accomplishments. Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021 and named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team that same year, Pierce spent 15 of his 19 NBA seasons with the Celtics, becoming one of the franchise’s most beloved figures alongside legends like Larry Bird and John Havlicek.
Pierce ranks among just three players to score more than 20,000 career points in a Celtics uniform, according to Basketball Reference. The 2008 NBA champion joined FS1 in March 2024, initially contributing to “Undisputed” before moving to “Speak” following a network programming reshuffle. While he has established himself as a candid and occasionally controversial media personality, Thursday’s demonstration of commitment to his word earned Pierce respect even from those who might disagree with his basketball opinions.
Social Media Reacts to “The Walk”
As footage of Pierce’s unusual journey spread across social media platforms, fans and fellow NBA personalities reacted with a mixture of amusement, disbelief, and respect. Many commentators noted that in an era where hot takes rarely come with consequences, Pierce’s willingness to follow through on his word—regardless of how outlandish the promise—demonstrated refreshing accountability from a sports media figure.
“In a world of endless sports takes with zero accountability, Paul Pierce walking 20 miles in a bathrobe because he was wrong about a basketball game is surprisingly wholesome,” wrote prominent NBA analyst Kevin O’Connor. The viral moment transcended traditional sports coverage, appearing on entertainment and news programs throughout the day. Several NBA players also weighed in, with Celtics star Jayson Tatum posting, “PP wild for this but respect for keeping it 100,” alongside laughing emojis. As the Celtics prepare to head to New York for Games 3 and 4, they’ll be hoping to avoid the kind of collapse that sent their legendary former captain on his unusual urban hike—and Pierce will undoubtedly be more careful about what he guarantees on national television.
