The Boston Celtics’ journey in the playoffs has come to an end. The New York Knicks officially eliminated the defending champions after securing a Game 6 win and clinching the series. The outcome didn’t sit well with former Celtics star and loyal supporter Paul Pierce, who took the loss personally and responded with strong comments aimed at the Knicks.
After Boston’s defeat in Game 6, Pierce directed a fiery warning at New York. He also made a bold forecast regarding the Indiana Pacers’ chances.
“Pacers gonna pop y’all, though. Y’all know that, right? Y’all know that the Pacers are gonna get y’all. So, I don’t even wanna hear all that. Yeah, y’all feeling good. Y’all beat an injured Celtics team,” Pierce said.
Paul Pierce calls out the Knicks
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 17, 2025
“Pacers gonna pop y’all. Pacers gonna get y’all… y’all beat an injured Celtics team.”
(h/t @Fullcourtpass )
pic.twitter.com/5L3Pln1Zdp
Pierce didn’t hold back in pointing to Jayson Tatum’s absence as the critical factor behind Boston’s Game 6 loss. He suggested that he believed Boston’s full-strength lineup would have changed the outcome of the series.
“We didn’t have our All-NBA player, First Team, MVP candidate, who led us in all of these categories. So, you know, whatever,” he added.
The former Celtics forward has recently been in the spotlight for his outspoken opinions. Prior to Game 2 of the series, Pierce vowed to walk barefoot if the Celtics lost again. After Boston fell in that game as well, he fulfilled his unusual promise.
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Fans Fire Back At Paul Pierce’s Comments
Paul Pierce’s defiant take on the Celtics’ elimination didn’t go over well with many NBA fans, who quickly responded with sarcasm and criticism. Social media was filled with reactions calling out what they saw as excuses and exaggerations.
One fan wrote, “Celtics were fully healthy until they were on brink of elimination,” pointing out the timing of the injury excuse.”
Celtics were fully healthy until they were on brink of elimination
— Shane (@ShanyeWest15) May 17, 2025
“Bro. It was 3-1 when Tatum got hurt. Watching Paul Pierce crying about the Knicks while drinking some lean in 2025 is some wild’in,” one fan commented.
Bro. It was 3-1 when Tatum got hurt. Watching Paul Pierce crying about the Knicks while drinking some lean in 2025 is some wild’in 😂😂
— RMacs (@PhillyHotspur) May 17, 2025
“We beat an injured Celtics team? What did the Pacers beat? And what did they beat last year after we were up 2-0…? Don’t pull the injury card in favor of the Pacers,” a Pacers supporter also chimed in.
We beat an injured Celtics team? What did the Pacers beat? And what did they beat last year after we were up 2-0…? Don’t pull the injury vard in favor of the Pacers
— Saul “Bar Piss” Goodman (@voddysodas) May 17, 2025
Other fans didn’t hold back either, mocking Pierce with comments like, “Pierce wants to do another walk, this time he should walk even further.”
Pierce wants to do another walk, this time he should walk even further 😂😂😂
— La Pelota en La Cabeza 🇦🇲🇦🇷🇺🇸 (@pelota_en) May 17, 2025
“Stop drinking bro,” one comment read.
Stop drinking bro
— D. Elias Loadholt (@DLoBlack76) May 17, 2025
The Celtics managed to win Game 5 without Tatum. Hence, injuries alone weren’t enough to excuse the team’s overall performance. Meanwhile, the Knicks are celebrating their first trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 25 years.
