Paul Pierce Injury: Updates on Wizards Star's Toe and Return
Paul Pierce missed a Dec. 16 contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a toe injury. He would return to action against the Miami Heat on Dec. 19.
Continue for updates.
Pierce Returns vs. Heat
Tuesday, Dec. 16
Jorge Castillo of the Washington Post provides an update on Pierce's status:
Pierce missed Washington's 109-95 win over Minnesota with the toe injury.
Pierce Exits Game vs. Lakers
Wednesday, Dec. 3
The team's official Twitter account provided the news of Pierce's injury:
Pierce spent 15 seasons with the Boston Celtics before playing with the Brooklyn Nets last year. The 10-time NBA All-Star averaged 21.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists with the Celtics but saw those numbers take a dramatic dip—13.5, 4.6 and 2.4—during his lone season in Brooklyn.
Even with the drop-off in production, Pierce is still a valuable member of the Wizards lineup. Prior to the season, Kofie Yeboah of USA Today offered his thoughts on the veteran:
"Pierce, 36, has been brought in to be a positive influence on the dynamic young backcourt of John Wall and Bradley Beal. The upstart Wizards were the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference last season, exceeding expectations. The Wizards are hoping Pierce—who won a championship with the Boston Celtics in the 2007-08 season—will provide leadership to help them take the next step to contending for a title.
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His success on the court has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons. Back in December 2013, Pierce suffered a hand injury that set him back. During the preseason, the veteran limped off the court with a knee injury.
But when healthy, Pierce offers experience and clutch play from being in big-game situations. When making his decision about where to sign, that played a huge role, as he told David Aldridge of NBA.com:
"I was like, I probably can fit in. After LeBron said he was going back to Cleveland, the dynamics of the Eastern Conference, with Indiana, I was like, this is a team that could be in the Eastern Conference finals, or possibly the Finals, based on what's here. And adding me to some of the other veterans they added, I was like, why not?
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Not only is Pierce a leader on the court, but he is also solid in the postseason. Playing in 148 playoff games during his career, he has averaged 20.3 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
If Pierce is forced to miss any time, his likely replacement would be either Glen Rice Jr. or Otto Porter Jr. Both forwards are in their second season, with neither averaging more than three points per game last year.
More responsibility will be on John Wall in the backcourt and Marcin Gortat in the paint to carry the offense. In the Eastern Conference, the Wizards still have a chance to compete for a playoff spot even if Pierce's injury keeps him out.
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