On this day in Boston Celtics history, Celtics champion forward Paul Pierce scored 42 points in a 108-99 win at Fleet Center (now, TD Garden) in 2002 against the Minnesota Timberwolves and his future Banner 17 teammate and fellow Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett.
The Celtics improved to 17 wins and 9 losses for the 2002-03 season with the win, with Pierce’s full stat line being 42 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and a block for the contest. The Inglewood native would go 11-for-25 from the floor that night, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Pierce made 16 of his 18 shots from the free-throw line over just under 45 minutes of playing time.