Paul Pierce recently found himself in a rather embarrassing situation after losing a bet on his former team, the Boston Celtics. On May 8, 2025, Pierce, 47, made a bold prediction that the Celtics would win their playoff game against the New York Knicks. When they lost in a nail-biting finish, he had to follow through on his promise to walk to work in his bathrobe.
Pierce’s walk to the Fox studio was no short trek. He covered a distance of 20.2 miles, taking over eight hours to complete the journey. He documented his experience live on Instagram, expressing disbelief at the situation he found himself in. "I can’t believe this, Celtics got me out here like this," he said during the walk, clearly feeling the weight of his decision.
After finally arriving at the studio, Pierce reflected on the experience, stating, "I ain’t never putting a bet on something like this ever again." He felt a sense of accomplishment despite the circumstances, noting that not everyone could handle such a challenge.
The bet originated from his confidence in the Celtics. On the show "Speak," he asserted that the Knicks winning was as unlikely as seeing a dinosaur. However, the Celtics fell short, shooting only 25% from beyond the arc and losing 91-90 in a tense Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.
Pierce’s commitment to the bet included a promise to walk barefoot, but he opted for shoes during the actual walk. As a former Celtics player who spent 15 seasons with the team and won an NBA Championship in 2008, this loss was particularly hard for him.
Now, with the Celtics facing the possibility of elimination, Pierce’s experience serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports and the consequences of making bold predictions. The Celtics will look to bounce back in their next game against the Knicks, scheduled for Saturday at Madison Square Garden.