Celtics legend Paul Pierce denies infamous 2008 Finals wheelchair story: ‘You don’t sit down in your own poop’

Sports talk is inundated with debates such as Michael Jordan vs. LeBron James and Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning, but one of the most everlasting back-and-forths involves an NBA legend and … his bowels. Hall of Famer Paul Pierce told The Athletic’s Michelle Beadle he didn’t poop his pants during Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals, after insinuating he did in 2019.

The situation in question occurred during the third quarter of Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers, when Pierce tripped over teammate’s Kendrick Perkins feet after defending a Kobe Bryant jump shot. Pierce immediately clutched his knee and stayed on the floor until medical personnel put him in a wheelchair and took him into the tunnel. 

But after only 1:45 of game action, Pierce reentered the game with a knee wrap and earned a raucous reception from the TD Garden crowd. The 10-time All-Star explained why his absence was so brief in a 2019 NBA Finals edition of NBA Countdown — and his “confession” had nothing to do with his knee.  

“I have a confession to make,” said Pierce, who won Finals MVP in the Celtics‘ six-game series win over the Lakers. “I just had to go to the bathroom.”

“… Something went down, and I had to go to the bathroom.”

Pierce’s comment left many to believe he pooped his pants during the game, but the 44-year-old maintained that wasn’t the case in a tweet poking fun at Lakers fans. 

The poop-or-no-poop argument continued, despite Pierce’s denial. The Celtics legend delved further into the topic in an interview with The Athletic. 

“I can’t believe people believe … so listen to this, I want fans to hear this,” Pierce told The Athletic. “If you poop your pants, does it make sense to sit down and mush it in a wheelchair? No. I would walk back there straight to the bathroom. Why would I need a wheelchair if I pooped my pants? You don’t sit down on your poop.”

A logical explanation from the player long known as The Truth.