From Parquet to Pavement: Paul Pierce’s 20-Mile Journey in a Bathrobe

Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Pierce traded the hardwood for hot asphalt Thursday morning, embarking on a grueling 20-mile walk through Los Angeles dressed only in a bathrobe—the consequence of a televised bet gone wrong after his beloved Boston Celtics suffered a second consecutive playoff collapse against the New York Knicks.

The FS1 “Speak” analyst and former NBA Finals MVP documented his journey on Instagram Live, starting before dawn and ultimately spending nearly eight hours traversing the city streets. “All right, time for me to get to steppin’,” Pierce announced shortly after 5 a.m. Pacific time, describing himself as a “man of my word” despite his obvious regret at the Celtics’ performance.

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A Guarantee Gone Wrong

During Wednesday’s broadcast of “Speak” on FS1, Pierce’s confidence in his former team reached dangerous levels as the Celtics prepared to face the Knicks in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. After dropping Game 1 at home in disappointing fashion, Boston entered as a substantial 10.5-point favorite for the second contest at TD Garden, according to CBS Sports.

“If the Celtics lose Game 2 at home, I promise you, I am walking here tomorrow,” Pierce declared emphatically on the broadcast, later adding “I guarantee this one” and urging viewers to “put the house on this game.” Despite co-hosts Joy Taylor and Keyshawn Johnson cautioning against such bold proclamations, Pierce doubled down, specifying that he would make the trek in his bathrobe, without shoes. “I’m walking here, 15 miles. I’m walking here in my robe, no shoes on, barefeet, if the Celtics lose tonight,” he insisted, a statement that would come back to haunt him mere hours later.

Celtics’ Collapse Sets Stage for Long Walk

The Celtics seemed determined to spare their former captain from his promised punishment, building a commanding 20-point lead midway through Game 2. Boston held a 73-53 advantage with just 15 minutes remaining in the contest, appearing well on their way to evening the series at one game apiece. Then came a stunning reversal of fortune that mirrored the team’s Game 1 collapse.

New York mounted a furious comeback, outscoring the defending champions 38-17 over the final quarter and a half to secure a shocking 91-90 victory and a 2-0 series lead. According to NBA.com, the Celtics scored on just one of their 12 possessions during a crucial stretch in the fourth quarter, allowing the Knicks to capitalize and hand Boston consecutive home playoff losses for the first time since 2017. As the final buzzer sounded, Pierce’s fate was sealed—a 20.2-mile walk awaited him the following morning.

The Long Road to Redemption

Pierce began his journey well before sunrise, posting his first Instagram Live update shortly after 5 a.m. local time. While he opted to wear shoes rather than travel barefoot as originally promised, he remained true to the bathrobe stipulation, wandering through Los Angeles streets in the unconventional attire. “I cant believe the Celtics got me out here like this, dog,” he lamented in one video update, the reality of his situation clearly setting in.

Throughout the nearly eight-hour journey, Pierce encountered various pedestrians who recognized the NBA champion in his unusual circumstance. Around 9 a.m., he shared footage of sidewalk hecklers good-naturedly teasing him about his lost bet. Rather than showing frustration, Pierce engaged with them in good humor, embracing the absurdity of his situation while acknowledging he was only about halfway through his marathon walk at that point. He finally arrived at work around 1 p.m., completing the 20.2-mile journey that had begun roughly eight hours earlier.

Pierce’s History of Bold Proclamations

This isn’t the first time Pierce’s unwavering confidence in Boston has put him in the spotlight. Since joining FS1 as an analyst in March 2024, Pierce has established himself as one of the Celtics’ most vocal supporters in media circles. According to Fox Sports, Pierce joined the network’s daily studio show “Speak” alongside Joy Taylor and Keyshawn Johnson after previously contributing to FS1’s “Undisputed” program.

Earlier this year, Pierce boldly predicted the Celtics would win the championship, telling his podcast audience, “I do believe the Celtics are going to win it all this year.” After spending 15 of his 19 NBA seasons with Boston, Pierce’s allegiance to the franchise remains unwavering, though his latest demonstration of loyalty came at considerable personal discomfort. As a member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team and 2021 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Pierce now has another unusual accomplishment to add to his basketball legacy.

Source: DepositPhotos

Social Media Reacts to Pierce’s Journey

As video clips and images of Pierce’s bathrobe journey spread across social media platforms, reactions ranged from amusement to genuine respect for the analyst’s commitment to honoring his word. Many commentators noted the rarity of sports personalities following through on outlandish predictions, with one viral post suggesting “Paul Pierce just restored faith in sports media accountability.”

Even rival fan bases expressed admiration for Pierce’s willingness to endure public embarrassment while fulfilling his promise. The unusual spectacle also provided welcome levity amid the intensely competitive NBA playoff atmosphere, shifting attention momentarily from the high-stakes basketball being played to the sight of a basketball legend trudging through Los Angeles in loungewear. As one fan succinctly posted, “Paul Pierce walking 20 miles in a bathrobe wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card, but I’m here for it.”

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