Pierce Plays Through Pain

Celtics captain, felled by knee sprain, jumps back into game
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 6, 2008 12:30 PM CDT
Pierce Plays Through Pain
Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce celebrates with fans as he leaves the court after the Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers 98-88 in Game 1 of the NBA basketball finals in Boston.   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

When Paul Pierce crumpled to the parquet in the third quarter of last night's NBA Finals game, everyone watching likely echoed the fears of Boston coach Doc Rivers, who "thought the worst." But after writhing in pain and leaving the court in a wheelchair, the Celtics captain returned, and in the biggest way possible, writes the Boston Herald.

Pierce scored 15 points on perfect shooting in the third quarter, seemingly unhampered by his sprained knee. "I don’t know if it was adrenaline or what, but I was able to get through it, he says." Whether he can do as well on Sunday and help his team go up 2-0 remains uncertain. "We'll see. I mean, it's in pain." (More 2008 NBA playoffs stories.)

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