On this day in Boston Celtics history, Hall of Fame Celtics champion small forward Paul Pierce was nearly stabbed to death in a Boston nightclub 22 years ago today.
The University of Kansas standout was taken by the Celtics with the 10th pick of the 1998 NBA draft and was poised to return for his third season in the league when he was stabbed 11 times in the face, neck, and chest at the popular “Buzz Club” in the city of Boston’s Theater District. Teammate Tony Battie saved Pierce’s life, quickly rushing the Los Angeles native to a nearby hospital to treat his wounds.
There, Pierce underwent emergency surgery that likely saved his life.