Paul Pierce’s wild Celtics loyalty just walked him right back into the internet’s courtroom. Literally. The Boston legend found himself hoofing it for 20 miles after a bold take on FS1 came back to haunt him. Fans had barely recovered from the shock when a video surfaced showing Pierce trekking down the road in a robe, barefoot, no less. It was supposed to be a funny bit — but instead, it stirred up an old debate that’s refused to die.

Now, to rewind a little — it all started with Pierce on FS1, doubling down on his Celtics pride like only he can. While breaking down the playoff matchup against the Knicks, he confidently declared, “If the Celtics lose Game 2 at home, I promise you, I’m walking here tomorrow. I’m walking here. I’m walking here 15 miles. I’m walking here. In my robe. No shoes on. Barefeet.”

However, when Celtics built a 20-point lead, and everyone thought Pierce would get off easy. But the Knicks had other plans. They clawed back and pulled off a stunning 91-90 win on the road. That loss not only shook Celtics fans — it triggered Pierce’s now-viral trek. Later, he clarified on X that he actually lived 20 miles from the studio. So, he laced up — well, didn’t lace anything — and kept his word. But here’s where things got a bit messy.

After arriving, Paul Pierce was wheeled into the FS1 studio, and then suddenly popped up and walked to his seat like nothing happened. That moment lit up the comment section with throwbacks to the infamous 2008 NBA Finals — the “wheelchair game.”

And now, with fans connecting the dots, the question is about whether the Boston legend’s wheelchair theatrics — both then and now — were ever legit.

Did Paul Pierce really walk miles or just wheel back the old rumors?

As the video of Paul Pierce being wheeled into FS1 hit the internet, fans didn’t waste a second. Instantly, the 2008 NBA Finals wheelchair moment resurfaced. One user quipped, “It’s only legit if his pants are brown like back in 2008. If he actually walked those 15 miles, he def s–t himself…again.” Another added, “Did he poop his pants again?” Yes, that old rumor. But why is a 17-year-old incident suddenly back on the table?

Well, the mystery from 2008 never really left. Pierce exited Game 1 in tears, wheeled off with 6:49 left in the third quarter, only to come jogging back just over a minute later like nothing happened. Over the years, fans have thrown out theories: Was it a real injury? A fake one? Or just a super-urgent bathroom break?

When Celtics star Jaylen Brown finally asked him about it on Showtime Basketball, Pierce told a story. “I sprained my MCL,” Pierce claimed, smirking. “Don’t believe all them rumors that I had to go to the bathroom.” He went on to say he never even asked for the wheelchair. “The doctor said, ‘No, no, no, don’t put no weight on it,’… I didn’t say go get the wheelchair.” But fans still aren’t buying it.

Now fast forward to his recent barefoot challenge. Despite all the videos, many fans remain skeptical. “Zero chance he walked 15 miles… He walked 100 ft and took an Uber,” one fan wrote. Another said, “Bro walked for 2 blocks then had his driver pick him up.”

Still, Pierce tried to show he meant it. From posting stories of his 5 a.m. start to sweaty selfies near the FS1 lot, he stuck to the script. And while he admitted, “I’m never doing this again,” he also shared, “I feel like I accomplished something great.” His final hope? “Hoping this can inspire my Celtics…” Well, maybe it will. Or maybe it’ll just inspire more memes.