To say that the twilight of Paul Pierce's basketball career isn't going as planned is a bit of an understatement.
The 16-year NBA veteran who is in his first year with the Brooklyn Nets after winning a title during his 15-year run with the Boston Celtics, is having an awful year with an underperforming team. His frustrations appeared to boil to the surface on Monday night.
Pierce was ejected for being assessed a flagrant foul 2 for clotheslining Indiana Pacers point guard George Hill during the Pacers' 103-86 victory over the Nets.
Hill was racing for a fast-break layup as Pierce was running back as the only defender with a play on the ball. As Hill attempted to do a reverse layup, Pierce caught him with his left elbow and forearm striking Hill on the chin and then dropping around his neck.
The end of the video shows Pierce gesturing as is asking what he had done wrong.
Pierce left the Brooklyn locker room without speaking to reporters after the game, ESPN.com reported. He was held scoreless for the first time since his rookie season in 1998-99. Pierce is averaging career lows in points per game at 13.2 and minutes played at 29.7 per game. His 41.6 shooting percentage from the floor is tied for the second lowest in his career.
The Nets, who have the NBA's highest payroll estimated to be $190 million after inclusion of the impending luxury tax, have started the 2013-14 season with a 9-18 record. Pierce and teammates Kevin Garnett and Jason Terry agreed to a trade to the Nets in the offseason because the Celtics decided to rebuild and the Nets had a formidable triumvirate with point guard Deron Williams, forward Joe Johnson and center Brook Lopez.
Lopez is lost for the season with a broken foot. The Nets also could be without Pierce, who could face a suspension from the NBA for his actions on Monday night.
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