Kevin Garnett received his standing ovation in the second quarter, then joined Boston’s fans when they returned to their feet for Paul Pierce.
Garnett and Pierce added to their growing list of accomplishments with significant moves up the list of NBA career scoring leaders Wednesday in the Celtics’ 112-88 rout of the Toronto Raptors.
Garnett passed Jerry West for 15th all-time and Pierce joined him in the top 20 scorers in league history when he passed Charles Barkley for No. 20.
”The joke around here is that every two days or something we’re making history,” Garnett said. ”It’s not a bad joke to be a part of.”
Not at all.
Garnett needed four points to pass West (25,192 points) and finished with 12. Pierce finished with 15 points after entering the game nine points shy of tying Barkley (23,757) for 20th.
Garnett hit a bank shot with 10:03 left in the second quarter and received a standing ovation when his milestone was announced during a stoppage a few minutes later. Boston fans rose again in the third to recognize Pierce, who responded with a salute back to the crowd.
— Reported by the Associated Press
