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Paul Pierce Celtics bet, explained: Boston legend must walk 20 miles after promise of Game 2 win backfires

David Suggs

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Paul Pierce Celtics bet, explained: Boston legend must walk 20 miles after promise of Game 2 win backfires image

The Truth shall set you free, as the old adage goes. For Paul Pierce, such a phrase might inspire a more lukewarm response.

The Celtics legend has never been one to doubt the capabilities of his longtime employers. So, ahead of the C's Game 2 matchup with the Knicks, Pierce felt compelled to lend his former side some further inspiration.

Appearing on "Speak", the infamous Fox Sports 1 program which he and former Jets and Buccaneers star Keyshawn Johnson co-host, Pierce delivered an impassioned show of faith in the Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown-led side, even offering a curious wager in the seemingly unlikely event that Boston would drop its joust.

It didn't pay off. Now, Pierce could find himself wading through figurative — and literal — waters on Thursday.

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Paul Piece Celtics bet, explained

Pierce had full faith in the Celtics' ability to overcome their first game jitters and walk out of TD Garden with a win in Game 2. Boston dropped its Eastern Conference semifinal opener in dramatic fashion on Monday, surrendering a 20-point advantage en route to a damning defeat.

That wasn't enough for Pierce to pick against his guys, though.

"If the Celtics lost Game 2 at home, I promise you, I'm walking here," Pierce said on Wednesday morning. "I'm walking here, I'm walking here, 15 miles. ... In my robe, no shoes on, bare feet, if the Celtics lose tonight, I'm walking."

Johnson recommended that Pierce temper his expectations a tad.

"Take the series," Johnson said.

But Pierce was firm.

"Nah, ain't no way," Pierce added. "In a robe, barefoot. I'm gonna be up at three. ... I guarantee this one, put the house on this game."

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The hits kept on coming for Pierce, who claimed that a New York win was more than just unlikely — it was practically impossible.

"You got a better chance of walking out of the studio and seeing a dinosaur, than the Celtics lose," Pierce proclaimed.

Johnson had a premonition of what was to come on Wednesday night, reminding Pierce of his history of false prophecies.

As it turned out, Johnson was correct. Another Boston advantage turned to ashes amid a barrage of clanked shots and Knicks baskets. Jalen Brunson's last-second free throws gave New York a one-point advantage, while another Mikal Bridges' deflection secured a momentous victory for the Knicks.

Pierce expressed dismay over his prospective route, which spans some 20.2 miles, equivalent to an eight-hour trek.

Will Pierce follow through with his promise? For a while, it seemed as if he wouldn't — it's a lengthy journey and his current employers would likely not take too kindly to him striding into the work late, after all.

Nevertheless, he'll have to face the music one way or another. It wouldn't be the first time he's made a faulty forecast.

But Pierce kept on trudging, using Instagram to track his progress as he trawled through  through the California foothills in the hopes of arriving to the studio. 

He finally touched down on his destination around 4 p.m. ET, more than seven hours after setting off on his journey. He did so with shoes on, for what it's worth — although that was an understandable decision. 

David Suggs

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.