The 2025 NBA Playoffs have been a rollercoaster ride through the conference semifinals, with road teams dominating the early games. Of the seven games played so far, only one home team has won – the Oklahoma City Thunder, who set a franchise playoff record with 149 points against the Nuggets. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics all face uphill battles after dropping their home openers. The Celtics, in particular, have been a focal point of discussion after blowing a 20-point lead in both games against the New York Knicks.
Pierce Honors His Bet with a Grueling Walk
Many believed they’d bounce back in Game 2 at TD Garden, including Hall of Famer and former Celtics star Paul Pierce. On his FOX show Speak, Pierce boldly bet that if the Celtics lost Game 2 at home again, he’d walk 20 miles to the FOX studio barefoot in a bathrobe. Unfortunately for Pierce, the Celtics collapsed again, blowing another 20-point fourth-quarter lead and forcing the 2008 Finals MVP to make good on his promise.
True to his word, Paul Pierce walked 20 miles to the FOX studio this morning, dressed in a robe and barefoot, as seen in the video. “This is crazy, dawg, I can’t believe this. C’s got me out here like this,” Pierce says in the clip, capturing his disbelief and discomfort. He started his journey early, posting on Instagram Stories as he left his house in slippers – later ditching them to meet the barefoot requirement.
Google Maps estimated the walk at 8 hours and 2 minutes, and those 20 miles are nearly the distance of a marathon. While Pierce’s athletic prime might have made this a breeze, the 47-year-old, now eight years removed from his playing days, found it a tougher challenge in slippers.
Along the way, fans spotted him and snapped photos with the Celtics legend, and even Kevin Garnett, his teammate for six seasons and a co-champion in 2008, saw him on the street and jokingly yelled, “What are you doing?! Be careful, buckle up!” Pierce’s journey offers two lessons: don’t bet against your beloved team, because losing stings twice as much, and if you do make a bet, follow through – kudos to Pierce for keeping his word.
Celtics’ Struggles Under the Spotlight
Few, including Pierce, expected the Knicks to take the first two games of the series in Boston, especially after trailing by 20 in both contests. The credit goes to the Knicks’ relentless effort, led by players like OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart, who rarely rest and can guard anyone. Karl-Anthony Towns, arguably the best shooting big man in the NBA, has been a matchup nightmare, while Mr. Clutch Jalen Brunson, the ultimate closer, has scored 86 points in the fourth quarter this postseason – far more than anyone else, with the next closest being 50.
The Celtics’ woes aren’t just due to the Knicks’ brilliance; their own struggles have been glaring. Known for their three-point shooting, Boston has gone a dismal 25-for-100 (25%) from deep in the first two games. Jayson Tatum has also been absent in clutch moments, a worrying trend for coach Joe Mazzulla. The Celtics will look to turn things around in Game 3 on May 10 at Madison Square Garden, with tip-off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, but their recent playoff form is the worst it’s been in years.
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