Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce struggled badly in a Sunday loss to the Los Angeles Lakers and didn’t look like himself. Now we may know why. Chris Forsberg of ESPN reports:
After being held without a field goal over nearly 40 minutes in Sunday’s win over the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce revealed that he is battling pain in his right hand and left ankle, the latter of which will require an MRI on Monday.
“I sprained my hand in practice [Saturday] and I hit it today,” said Pierce. “I just got to get my foot checked out [Monday], I’m going to get an MRI on it and go from there.”
Pierce missed all 10 shots he attempted Sunday, only the fourth time in his career he’s been held without a bucket and the first time since Dec. 13, 2000, when he went 0-for-7 with nine points over 31 minutes during a visit from Chicago. The only comparable shooting night of his career came on March 2, 1999, when Pierce was 0-for-11 with two points over 25 minutes in Cleveland.
Pierce definitely needs some rest, regardless of what the MRI reveals.
