NBA Hall of Famer Paul Pierce Arrested for DUI in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA – Former NBA star Paul Pierce was arrested late Tuesday night on suspicion of misdemeanor driving under the influence (DUI), according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP).

Officers found Pierce, 47, asleep behind the wheel of his Range Rover on the U.S. Highway 101 around 10:30 p.m. near Lankershim Boulevard. The arrest occurred after CHP officers responded to an unrelated multi-vehicle crash that temporarily closed several lanes of the freeway.

As traffic began to flow again, officers noticed Pierce’s SUV stopped in the traffic lanes. Upon approaching the vehicle, they discovered he was asleep and observed signs of alcohol impairment. A DUI investigation ensued, leading to Pierce’s arrest.

Pierce was booked at the CHP’s Central Los Angeles Area office and later released. The case will be forwarded to the Los Angeles City Attorney’s office for review.

Paul Pierce had a celebrated career in the NBA, playing 19 seasons, primarily with the Boston Celtics. He was a 10-time NBA All-Star and won an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2008, where he was also named Finals MVP. Pierce was drafted 10th overall by Boston in 1998 after a successful college career at the University of Kansas.

After retiring in 2017, he transitioned into a media career, working as an analyst for ESPN and later for Fox Sports. He recently had a podcast and was known for his candid social media presence.

In a statement following his arrest, Pierce mentioned that he fell asleep after being stuck in standstill traffic for 45 minutes, adding, “I’m old, I’m tired and I fell asleep. I’m good y’all thanks for the love.” The incident has attracted attention given his high-profile status in the sports community.