Basketball Hall of Famer Paul Pierce has spoken out following his recent arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence, offering an explanation for the bizarre circumstances that led to his detainment.
After being found asleep behind the wheel of his Range Rover in the middle of Los Angeles traffic, Pierce took to social media to share his side of the story.
“Imagine being stuck in standstill traffic for 45 minutes and falling asleep,” Pierce wrote in a post on Threads. “I took this picture that night because I had never been in standstill traffic for this long. I’m old, I’m tired, and I fell asleep. I’m good, y’all, thanks for the love.”
The post, accompanied by a photo reportedly taken during the incident, paints a picture of exhaustion rather than recklessness. While Pierce did not directly address the DUI charge, his message suggests that fatigue played a central role in the episode that has since made headlines.
The arrest occurred late Tuesday night when California Highway Patrol officers responded to a multi-vehicle accident on the 101 Freeway. As traffic began to clear, they discovered Pierce’s SUV idling in the center lanes, with the former Celtics star reportedly asleep at the wheel. Officers noted signs of alcohol impairment and conducted a field sobriety test before taking Pierce into custody.
Pierce, 47, has had a tumultuous post-retirement journey. After a celebrated NBA career that included a championship and Finals MVP honors in 2008, he transitioned into sports media, only to be dismissed from ESPN in 2021 following a controversial livestream. He later joined Fox Sports and currently hosts a podcast titled The Truth After Dark.
