In a matter of moments, Paul Pierce went from seemingly adding the latest chapter to his clutch career, to potentially walking off an NBA floor for the final time.
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Pierce hit what looked like a game-tying 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the Washington Wizards to overtime against the Atlanta Hawks in Game 6.
But when the play was reviewed, the ball was still in his hands when the clock expired and the shot was waved off.
Instead of jubilation, the Wizards were left to face the reality that their season had come to an end, while Pierce grappled with the close of his 17th NBA season.
“Truthfully, what was going through my mind is, I don’t have too much of these efforts left, if any,” the 37-year-old said.
“These rides throughout the NBA season, throughout the playoffs, are very emotional. They take a lot out of not only your body, but your mind, your spirit.”
The future Hall of Famer has a $6 million (Dh22m) player option next year with Washington, who he helped lead to the Eastern Conference semi-finals in his first season.
Still thinking about yesterday’s Paul Pierce 3-pointer. Literally TENTHS OF A SECOND too late. #NBAPlayoffs
— InsideHoops.com NBA (@InsideHoops) May 16, 2015
He averaged 11.9 points in the regular season and 14.6 points with 52.4 per cent shooting from long range in the playoffs.
However, he’s now been bounced out of the second round in consecutive years and will turn 38 ahead of next season.
“I haven’t really thought about it,” Pierce said of retirement. “I don’t even know if I’m even going to play basketball anymore. These seasons get harder and harder the older you get.”
Whether he ends his playing days or not, Pierce has already left his mark on the league.
He first revived the storied franchise of the Boston Celtics – who drafted him in 1998 – by helping them raise a 17th title banner in 2008, and then moulded a young Washington team through his veteran leadership.
“I’m never going to have no regrets, whether I hang it up now or later,” Pierce said.
“I know that people who have been around me all these years know that Paul Pierce came every day, left it out there every day. I know I left everything out there.”
