HOMENBA
Atlanta, GA 6/06/2008 01:56 PM GMT (TransWorldNews)
Paul Pierce returned from injury to lead the Boston Celtics to a 98-88 win against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the 2008 NBA Finals on Thursday.
Pierce suffered a knee injury after teammate Kendrick Perkins stepped on his foot in the third quarter. Pierce had to be carried off the court, but returned to the game to a standing ovation. Pierce then capped off an amazing third quarter, scoring 15 points on 5-of-5 shooting.
Pierce's comeback was reminiscent of Willis Reed, the former New York Knicks center who hobbled back on the court before Game 7 of the 1970 finals against the Lakers.
Pierce finished with 22 points, 11 after suffering the injury. Kevin Garnett scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, while Ray Allen, the third member of Boston's Big Three, added 19 for the Celtics. Allen added eight rebounds and five assists.
Kobe Bryant lead the Lakers with 24 points. Pau Gasol and Derek Fisher had 15, while Lamar Odom added 14 for the Lakers. Bryant, who shot just 9-of-26 from the field, and Fisher both added six assists.