Paul Pierce Walks 20 Miles to Work After Losing Celtics-Knicks Bet: “I’m a Man of My Word”

NBA legend Paul Pierce took an early morning journey through Los Angeles on Thursday, May 8—on foot. The former Boston Celtics star fulfilled a bold bet he made on-air, promising to walk 20 miles to the FS1 studio if his team lost Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals to the New York Knicks.

Before the game, Pierce told his Speak co-hosts, “I’m walking here, in my robe, no shoes on, bare feet,” if the Celtics lost again after their Game 1 defeat. He went so far as to say there was a better chance of “seeing a dinosaur” outside the studio than seeing Boston drop another game.

But the Knicks edged out the Celtics 91–90, and Pierce, 47, was forced to honor his word.

Early Thursday morning, he posted a screenshot of a walking route from his home to work—an estimated 8-hour, 20-mile trek—along with two vomiting emojis. He followed through, sharing updates to his Instagram Stories throughout the journey.

Dressed in what appeared to be a bathrobe, Pierce stepped out in the early morning darkness, saying, “Alright, time for me to get to steppin’.” About an hour-and-a-half in, he’d walked four miles and admitted he was sweating but vowed to keep going: “I’m a man of my word.”

Around the halfway point, he was cheered on by two passersby who briefly joined him, offering support and encouragement. Pierce took a short break before continuing his determined trek.

The Celtics, now down 0–2 in the series, will look to bounce back in Game 3 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, May 10. As for Pierce, he’s already proven his loyalty—one grueling step at a time.