Paul Pierce did not look to be moving well on Tuesday night in Game 5 against the Atlanta Hawks, two days after suffering a knee injury during the Boston Celtics' shootaround.
Though The Truth downplayed the injury after scoring 16 points on 7 of 17 shooting in Boston's 87-86 loss, he did admit he felt a step slow.
"I don't really think it bothered me too much," said Pierce. "I didn't really try to think about it. I probably was a little step slower, I didn't have my usual lift that I usually do. But I don't think it really affected me, too much. I mean, I'm not a high-riser anyway."
Pierce had his moments, including a three-pointer to bring the Celtics within one point in the final minutes of the game. But he also looked visibly hindered by his knee on several other plays, struggling to chase down loose balls and airballing a mid-range jumper with 18 seconds left which would have given the Celtics a lead. For the game, he registered a team-worst minus-13.
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