NBA legend Paul Pierce found himself in legal trouble Tuesday night after California Highway Patrol officers discovered him asleep behind the wheel of his Range Rover SUV on the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley.
The incident occurred around 11:35 p.m. when Pierce’s vehicle was observed stationary on the highway, which had been closed due to an unrelated multi-vehicle crash near Lankershim Boulevard. Officers responding to the scene found the 47-year-old Hall of Famer showing signs of alcohol impairment.
After investigation, Pierce was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor driving under the influence and subsequently booked at the CHP’s Central Los Angeles Area office. The case will now proceed to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office for review and potential prosecution under California’s strict DUI laws, which could result in fines, community service, or temporary license suspension.
Pierce faces misdemeanor DUI charges under California law, potentially resulting in fines, community service, or license suspension.
Following the arrest, Pierce took to Instagram to address the situation, claiming he had simply fallen asleep while stuck in traffic. He mentioned being stuck in standstill traffic for 45 minutes before dozing off due to exhaustion. Fans and followers quickly offered support for the 10-time NBA All-Star, whose public image may face scrutiny in the wake of this incident.
The Boston Celtics legend, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021, played 19 seasons in the NBA, including 15 with the Celtics. As the sole occupant in the vehicle at the time of his arrest, Pierce was fortunate no injuries were reported in the incident. After retiring in 2017, Pierce shifted to broadcasting, working as an analyst for ESPN and later co-hosting “Speak” on Fox Sports.
This arrest potentially complicates his post-retirement media career. Like many athletes transitioning from sports to entertainment, Pierce has been working to establish a personal brand in the competitive broadcasting landscape. Public relations experts suggest he might need to engage fans through social media platforms to rebuild trust and maintain his audience following this incident.
Pierce’s basketball credentials remain impressive, having been named NBA Finals MVP during Boston’s 2008 championship run. Prior to his professional career, he attended Inglewood High School and the University of Kansas, where he established himself as a top prospect before being selected 10th overall by the Celtics in the 1998 NBA Draft.
After his lengthy tenure in Boston, Pierce briefly played for the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers before retiring.
