UPDATE 2/26 9:01 am: It’s going to
a few more games before Paul Pierce returns to the Celtics lineup. Doc Rivers said Pierce will be held out because the Celtics want him right when he comes back, not trying to shoot through the pain and risking further damage. Basically, exactly the opposite of Kobe. The Celtics missed Pierce in the half court offense late in the game last night, although the way his teammates and the Cavaliers were playing, it likely would not have made a big difference.
2/25 1:10 pm: It appears the thumb injury suffered by Paul Pierce will keep him out of tonight’s nationally televised showdown against Cleveland.
Nothing is official yet, but Pierce sat out practice yesterday and Doc Rivers said “most likely” Pierce would not play. However, it will be a game time decision.
It’s getting to the time of year when we fans want to put playoff significance on regular season games. We talk about matchups and statement games. But it’s hard to do that when key pieces are missing. Caron Butler was missing for Dallas last night (not that it mattered). Pierce out tonight. But fans should remember that games in February do not determine the outcome of games in May. Those are two completely different animals.