Paul Pierce Injury: Updates on Clippers Forward's Back and Return
Los Angeles Clippers veteran forward Paul Pierce missed a Dec. 21 game against the Oklahoma City Thunder while nursing a back injury. However, he is ready to return.
Continue for updates.
Pierce Active vs. Lakers
Friday, Dec. 25
After missing one game, Pierce would score two points and dish out two assists in 12 minutes of action in a 94-84 win against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Veteran Pierce Remains Valuable Asset
After 15 spectacular seasons with the Boston Celtics, Pierce joined the Brooklyn Nets for the 2013-14 campaign. He then made the leap to Washington, where he served as a mentor to a Wizards team stacked with young talent, such as guards John Wall and Bradley Beal.
The Truth was a huge part of Washington's development as he contributed heavily to the team winning a playoff series, but he decided to chase a championship by signing with the Clips this past offseason.
In addition to joining forces with the likes of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, Pierce reunited with Rivers, who he won a title alongside with the Celtics in 2008.
After signing with Los Angeles, Pierce acknowledged that he is nearing the end of his NBA career as it has been 17 years since the Clippers selected him in the first round of the 1998 NBA draft, per Dan Woike of the Orange County Register:
"I don't have much basketball left—whether it'll be this year or another year. To come home and play in front of family and friends and possibly win a championship, it's like a dream come true. If we win this year, win a championship, I'll probably be done with basketball to be honest. It'll be a dream to be home and carry that championship trophy down Manchester Boulevard.
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There are many reasons why Pierce looked like a great acquisition on paper, and his ability to stay on the court and remain healthy is among the biggest.
Pierce has played in at least 79 games over the course of a regular season on seven occasions, and he hasn't missed more than 11 games in a single season since 2006-07.
He did miss nine contests last season because of myriad nagging injuries, though, which certainly isn't uncommon for athletes when they near the age of 40.
Pierce, 38, is obviously no longer the same player who was named to 10 NBA All-Star teams and won the NBA Finals MVP award in 2008, but he is an experienced and successful player who still brings plenty to the table.
In fact, Pierce's mere presence is beneficial to the Clippers since they are a team that is still learning how to win big games despite their talent level. Since Pierce has seen and done it all in the NBA, his teammates are able to seek advice from him and watch him lead by example.
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