Boston Celtics' amazing 26 point comeback vs Nets (2002 ECF GM3) (2002.05.02)

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Requested by Matt S in a galaxy far, far away, long, long ago.
Paul Pierce, Antoine Walker, and the Boston Celtics win game 3 in the greatest playoff comeback in NBA history against the New Jersey Nets after being down by 26 points around the beginning of the 3rd quarter.
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[@Walacama]

This game was played on our wedding day. At one point almost all of the 250 guests were in the downstairs bar watching the game. The banquet hall was empty. My wife and I joined everyone to see the epic comeback victory. The wedding was great in its own right, but this topped it off. People still comment, I remember your wedding, it was the Celtics comeback win. Too bad they didn’t win this series.

[@st4r444]

Have you guys taken bbc since then?

[@sussybaka6889]

Wouldve been lakers v celtics again in 02 finals and we wouldve had a trilogy of pierce vs kobe in nba finals

[@JuaquiTheBest]

This game turned me into a Celtics and a Paul Pierce fan. i was 12 back then . Good ol memories

[@MyAssStings]

JuaquiTheBestHD so you are a bandwagoner

[@JuaquiTheBest]

MyAssStings Then your definition of a wagoner is wrong buddy.

[@MyAssStings]

JuaquiTheBestHD really cause u literally just said you only started following them because they were winning in the conference finals

[@JuaquiTheBest]

The Lakers with Shaq and Kobe was great and popular that year but I didn't hopped on that team. The Celtics is my first and only team ever since .

[@queenofyeay]

When I was 12 the Celtics had just won the last Championship of the Russell era... But I would never call you a bandwagoner. I was a fan of all Boston sports teams growing up, but mostly the Patriots either sucked or failed in the playoffs and in 1993 I decided to become a Green Bay Packers fan... it was Brett Farve's first season and he kinda sucked that year. I'm still a Packer fan, though I do enjoy when the Pats win, but the Packers are my team (I even own stock) I wasn't a bandwagon fan though and neither are you.

[@coreye4345]

I remember watching this game with my Grandpa who never watched sports, ever. It was a great thing seeing him smile and cheer considering he was a grumpy old man most of the time! One of my favorite memories for sure!

[@HueyLewisFan22]

i remember this game. thought it was over. Pierce has always been a gamer.

[@yoki_isthename9456]

People clown Paul Pierce because of his bad takes, and they think he wasn't as good a player. This game is one of his brightest, and shows he's much of a superstar as others were.

[@ryanpajaro21]

Mike Breen covering NBC and TNT in 2002 playoffs :)

[@Garf_malarf]

12 years old first game I ever watched. Been a Celtics fan since. Pierce walker and Anderson what a trio.

[@jamezason]

You mean trio? 😂

[@TRJ2241987]

Maybe it was because I was in high school, but this will always be the best Celtics team since the Boston Garden for me...couldn't believe we didn't take the momentum to the next games and make it to the Finals. This was still a fantastic team to watch all year long though. They never played with the expectations or entitlement that the 2008 Celtics did. This team just came out of nowhere and they were good from preseason on. If my memory is right, Antoine Walker had 4 game winning shots that season.

[@marcotelese9643]

I agree. The genious and the truth. What a duo!!!

[@jamesvincent4472]

Negative

[@justinmspringer]

those games against iverson/philly were classic too

[@CptRexFilms987654321]

Pierce always been clutch

[@jamariostevens9312]

Paul Piece is a choker. He average 23 points on 36% in that series

[@justinalley3399]

@@jamariostevens9312 hes the reason they made it that far that year without him we woulndt of made the playoffs we would of been lucky to win 15 games that year

[@mr_w_9647]

@@jamariostevens9312 pierce is

[@Bretde1]

I was in middle school when this happened. Was always a celtics fan...but man...this game carved a special place in my heart for them. Unbelievable

[@Awawww-z4t]

I remember my father watched this game before and felt so ecstatic in the end coz he thought his favorite team had already lost the fight yet the Cs still found a way to beat the Nets. I miss this celtics team and i miss my father so much.

[@ChristopherSlash-vw2oe]

This is a lot more impressive in this era of basketball than it would be in todays era💯

[@mrtampham]

this was amazing. thanks for posting

[@mwtrboy]

I remember this game like it was yesterday

[@dat078912reppa]

Man I wish the NBA was still like this

[@jchockey22]

I was outside the garden with my mom waiting to pick my dad up from work (he works at the garden) and we were watching at home and then on the radio and it was incredible a little group gathered around our parked car listening on the radio going nuts .. one of my favorite memories as a Boston sports fan

[@zackspiker_]

That’s freakin rad! That’s what’s sports fandom is about.

[@goriotv2023]

I was in the office lunch time when I watched this game on our pantry area. Man this Celtics had a special place in my heart.

[@theunthinkable1021]

Mike Breen was superb

[@redonsejdiu5149]

this is why I love Celtics, even with a shitty team they give their all to win and never give up..

[@razkable]

I mean pierce and walker both were top 3 leading scorers for nba title teams in 06 and 08 and walker led a title team in college in scoring too..so the bench may have been shit on offense but the starting 5 was solid enough for back then having 2 legit 20+ ppg all stars meant you had a chance in the east for a half decade ...

[@dreamsoda897]

Totally, you reminded me of the time when we had Bass, Olynyk, etc. Still fighting despite the lack of talent

[@jodyvance1554]

That wasn't a 'shitty team' you poseur a-hole!

[@injusticeanywherethreatens265]

Ya and then LBJ Wade and Bosh just came and demolished fhe East for a decade. Raptors came.outta nowhere and won one in 19 too

[@blc0179]

This Celtics team was 1 big man away from being a championship contender

[@DrSanto91]

Yeah me too, but i was so MAD, that they traded joe johnson to just get rodney rodgers and tony delk. They went away from the youth movement. They had walker, pierce and rookie joe johnson, they would have been contenders and yes a center would have been made them a championship contender

[@seaproductions_]

If only they won the 1997 lottery. Celtics would've had Duncan, Pierce and Walker.

[@yourmom-qq4tq]

Lakers would have celtics in 3

[@ReflectionOfPerfection]

Earlier that season they traded Joe Johnson for Tony Delk and Rodney Rogers. The Suns originally wanted Kedrick Brown but incompetent Celtics GM Chris Wallace counter offered Johnson. Imagine Joe Johnson on this team.

[@tmclaughlin11]

@@seaproductions_ That was a huge slap in the face to Celtics fans. After bottoming out at 15-67, worst season in Celtics history, we *still* couldn’t land the #1 pick. Things certainly would’ve played out differently and SA probably would not have had any kind of success like they would go on to have after that.

[@pmc5443]

how i wish they would go to nba finals and meet lakers at that time. still remember how good pierce in his prime

[@chrismagsmags]

Soph in HS. Went to my friends house with my other buddy. His older brother bought us a 30 of Coors Light and watched the game. Still one of the fondest memories I ever had. We walked through his street after the game singing and acting wild. This is in the suburbs so it was no issue

[@FULLmeltHASH]

this was really 13 years ago?.. fuck im getting old, I feel like this was last season

[@ChristopherMartel]

How old you feeling now

[@bigshanene4437]

Paul Pierce is a god

[@cerealelegance4137]

Still to this day one of my favorite NBA games ever and being a Celtics fan, remember thinking man this Nets team has so many great players I also liked on the team a comeback seems impossible. This game taught me to never give up. This day was special. Also this was on May 25th 2002.

[@knightmaremystery1553]

Amazing. Jus amazing. Sad to see wat the nba looks like now. Miss the game of the 90's-00's SG's & SF's. They were the best ever . There will never be another time like this.

[@AnimefreakHQ]

Forget about the SG/SF, where's the PF/C players?

[@jinnashjinnash3827]

Pierce the truth . that's my idol

[@davidtran2026]

This Celtic team had more heart than the current squad at this moment, the way the current one played last night was nothing short of disgraceful.

[@GodWarsX]

I wish this Celtics squad was in 2k

[@II-pt9rk]

Paul was a warrior !!!!

[@melvincosalan]

Too bad they lost. We could have had celtics vs lakers 3 times last decade..

[@AntiMTVMovement]

I think the NBA tried to make this happen in 2002 but failed

[@KingoftheJungle214]

Lakers would’ve swept them like they did nets

[@scgamer]

It should be kings vs nets

[@jonathanfrimerman8855]

@@AntiMTVMovement Mybe true but i think if the Celtics won their series It wouldve been Kings vs Celtics Kings win

[@tmclaughlin11]

@@KingoftheJungle214 You’re probably right. The C’s weren’t ready and had little depth in ‘02 to run up against the two-time defending Lakers that year. Still, many like me were surprised how well they finished, taking the Nets to six in the ECF.

[@kingalejandro1343]

This was a good game.

[@fatovamingus]

Oh hell yeah I remember this game. My boss and I shared season tickets and it was his turn to go . Watching at home was just the worst so I went to bed I couldn't take anymore. Suddenly the phone rings and all I hear is mad screaming it was the garden going off! I fell trying to get to the TV and I cut my forehead open. I have a celtics 2002 come back scar.

[@dengster8884]

I recall the broadcasters said majority of the teams came back from 20+ deficit would actually lose the next game, which was true in Celtics’ case.

[@st4r444]

Didn't know Mike Breen was with NBC commentating this lol that guy has been with nba for a while

[@tremainejyles8243]

Yes I do remember this game, this game brought back the Celtic pride from my child hood years with larry bird and the Celtics doing what they do.

[@BattleGear4TunedBackupChannel]

And Throws It Away Here Comes Anderson Block By Kennels But A Goaltend 8:12

[@brandonthompson1995]

Paul Pierce absolutely torched them lol

[@koleon06]

I swear Richard Jefferson can't guard a soul lol

[@andreialexandruparfeni7129]

koleon06 He still can't guard anybody, and he is shooting very poorly this season for the Cavs.

[@taelabaho]

all time greates! J kidd and Pierce !

[@fformentif]

Walker and Pierce

[@dagameplayer]

I really think this Celtics team would have been waay more challenging than the Nets in the NBA Finals. Of course LA still wins though.

[@razkable]

duh..pierce and walker could actually score with kobe and shaq..at least until the final few minutes where they would get owned im sure...kidd and k mart just weren't scorers like that..they were more hustle players...

[@jodyvance1554]

I'll never, ever forget it. Sure, the ones that mean the most are the championships. But how often are those? But any true fan loves, cherises, lives for the wins like this when you don't have that title team. You have a team that plays to the fullest of their skills, abilities, and heart, to win in the end in the playoffs. The Truth, 'Toine, Chips, Rodgers, Delk, Battie, Williams and co. put it ALL on the line that night and brought home the win for the all-time fans. Love for all you guys!!!

[@hydeseaick2587]

Pierce is criminally underrated

[@BirdoLegacyRosterUpdates]

Paul Pierce was a KILLER

[@kevind3619]

15 years ago today

[@whetherMANE]

2:21 that Paul pierce and1

[@BattleGear4TunedBackupChannel]

Van Horn Blocked By Walker Rebounded By Pierce 8:51 Kid For 3 Blocked by Radgers Knocked Loose Harris Has It Kid For 3 And The Boston Celtics With the greatest 4th Quarter Comeback In NBA Playoff History 9:36

[@cameronmcmaster]

39 points in 3 quarter this was when defence was ELITE back than

[@jareddaddy4531]

Dell Anderson and posey were nasty..Celtics should Of went to finals that year

[@adeezy617newonenation]

Im 26 now my uncle was going nuts when this shit happen

[@davidshell2801]

The truth & walker true celtics ❤

[@lsureppin225]

Life came at Richard Jefferson fast

[@shermanmi]

I was a little young for at this point (I actually became more of an avid fan shortly afterwards). How did they get good enough to be in the ECF? Were Pierce and Walker just that good?

[@tennsmoothie]

Celts had some talent and were a good team, but not quite enough talent to win a title. more important, they didn't have the toughness to win it all. Pierce was still young and immature and Walker was full of talent but couldn't lead a whore into bed, much less a team to a championship. That is why Kevin Garnett is a more important Celtic than Pierce. Garnett brought the mentality and discipline needed to hang the next banner. Just shoulda been 2 flags - Danny blew it by trading Kendrick Perkins in 2011.

[@Adgeatic]

tennsmoothie I agree, though I will add that even though Pierce is a great player and arguably one of Top 10 Celtics, he wasn't necessarily a leader. So whenever he had someone taking the lead and providing that motivation, he did great. Hence why when Walker gave him the emotional pep talk during a timeout (very famous one caught on camera which was not shown on here but rather mentioned by the announcers), he did well in this game. In 2008, it was Garnett leading the team through his energy which helped them win a championship. This Celtics team was in shape (due to Coach Pitino's previous Celtics' stint that made them play college-style full-court pressure), and thrived well with charisma, but didn't necessarily have the 'team discipline' required to glue them together in order to function as a championship team. Great moment and great team nonetheless.

[@justinmspringer]

Jim Obrien

[@seanbankston7024]

Crazy I don't recall a single three pointer made from Boston during their run.

[@jamesvincent4472]

They showed one

[@BattleGear4TunedBackupChannel]

Celtics Lead 7:39

[@kevind3619]

My favorite celtics game

[@jodyvance1554]

lame, poseur

[@injusticeanywherethreatens265]

A perfect storm in Paul's favor it sounded like...

[@bryanjoecruz47]

Celtics still recovering from the disastrous Pitino era. They could have made the NBA finals in the early 2000s if not from Rick Pitino's ill trade and free agent signing.

[@jodyvance1554]

All the signs were that the Celtics would get Duncan. Not his fault the pino pong ball went randomly the other way. It was his coaching that was the real problem.

[@SGH_89]

Lol they're now NBA Champions 🏆🎉

[@edwardfisher9930]

People forget how good Paul Pierce was especially in his younger years with Celtics.. shaq nicknamed him the truth for a reason 💯💯

[@jodyvance1554]

Younger years? Pierce was The Truth for a long time.

[@abdullahiomar3197]

Anyone here after nets 28 point comeback 😊

[@clarkestevegil4085]

FIBA ON ESPN

[@therealdarrell282]

Towne telling Pierce how they were getting embarrassed before the start of the 4th should be enough played at every home game.

[@GodWarsX]

Had to come watch this after checking some dumb child who said Pierce isn't a legend

[@yaahlabanyamyan144]

Just to get swept the rest of the way lmao. Shout out NJ Nets !

[@yrret1996]

pierce = beast

[@GodWarsX]

+Cameron Johnson and 3rd all time three pointers made

[@raymondnoriega3053]

Paul pierce at his playstation mode

[@azrielnguyen9586]

These days a 30 point comeback is nothing new. No defense from either team + nonstop 3 pt jacks. My how the game has fallen.

[@somerandomguy84]

With the slower pace and weaker shooting back then, a 26 point deficit is like 30-32 points today

[@skylinev1-76]

the most my team ever got beat was probably by 25 but we still came back to win

[@ReflectionOfPerfection]

LakersNation 47 game 4 2008 finals

[@skylinev1-76]

2010 NBA Championship..

[@ReflectionOfPerfection]

LakersNation 47 congrats, still blew a 20 point lead in Game 4 in 08

[@skylinev1-76]

KHayes666 Lol the Celts. had a big 3 and only won one championship..

[@jamesvincent4472]

What on 2k?

[@Shualiksik]

imagine if Boston met the Lakers in the 2002 finals.

[@GodWarsX]

Josh Felicilda they would have had a better shot against LAL than The Nets. Celtics matched up better against them

[@pdizzle5302]

This Celtics team should have made the finals. They would have lost, but it would have been a much more entertaining series than Lakers/Nets. Celts would have taken the Lakers to 6 games at least.

[@diddyisadick3275]

P Dizzle I know while I love the 08 team that won a championship this celtics team of 02 was much more humble and hungry to win it. The 08 celtics champions have a real stick up their ass for a team that one only one championship

[@AntiMTVMovement]

The thing that hurts the Lakers-Kings series rigging controversy is the fact that the Celtics didn't win this series. A Lakers-Celtics final in 2002 would've been a ratings bonanza.

[@jodyvance1554]

NO it wouldn't. Not then. The Celtics had nothing more than old time fans. The young NBA crowd didn';t give a crap about the Celtics.

[@AntiMTVMovement]

@@jodyvance1554 The Celtics did have star power with Paul Pierce. As much star power as the Nets possessed in 2002.

[@mr_w_9647]

2:18... Damn that was nice AF

[@elabundante4403]

the truth that paul pierce, is the truth ...

[@SGH_89]

Prime Paul Pierce 😬🥶

[@JanMarvinVistal]

Mike breen isnt popular that time

[@jamezason]

BANGGGGGGGG

[@BakiBundles]

55 in the 4th ☘️

[@thomasmartin5503]

How was that the last game they won that year?

[@jossiezambrano92]

I still love my NETS!! NJ Nets forever NJ>BK

[@jodyvance1554]

screw the lame ass hapless nets

[@ruben21]

remember this game in high school had me rockin a headband on the court, pierce said fuck it i aint shooting no more ranged shots except free throws i'm going to the basket. I felt even tho they wouldnt have beat the lakers they would have gave them a better matchup, the nets halfcourt offense really sucked.

[@alexiscando5709]

darn if the C's win that series, it would've been Celtics Vs Lakers in that finals, and a young Paul Pierce against Kobe and Shaq

[@Sephiroth766]

+Alexis Cando they would have gotten demolished in the Finals

[@thomasmartin5503]

They had split with the Lakers that year. It wouldn't have been a massacre.

[@pdizzle5302]

I agree C's would have lost, but would have put up a better fight. Walker and Pierce's ability to create plus their tough physical defense matched up well against the Lakers. Nets got demolished in the finals.

[@victorrocky6533]

The video so blurry this game I can't see shot

[@AntiMTVMovement]

I wonder if the NBA rigged this series (to favor the Celtics) just so the Lakers and Celtics could meet in 2002.

[@jodyvance1554]

I wonder how much a moron you are

[@thebobbymft5805]

Miami Heat 2012 and 2013 Title Clinchers ?

[@deandresmith4311]

2002 finals really should have been the kings vs Celtics.

[@Bhullarsaab92]

Yup

[@Slipknot5301]

why? celtics got beat fair and square

[@jspurs22]

Classic

[@mjcgatus]

The play-by-play announcer tho... sounds like Mike Breen of ESPN 🤔

[@GodWarsX]

It is him man !

[@suiken3149]

NBA was still on NBC back then.

[@brandedmcgowan7688]

NBCs final year of the NBA 😥😢😟😞😖🏀

[@danyiipastoril2066]

It's him! Mike Breen's a legend.

[@mjcgatus]

Damn it's been a year since I commented on this 😂 Never thought Mike's voice would stay the same, doesn't matter if it's 2002 or 2018 😮

[@Realistic316]

it wasn’t may 2nd…. it was May 25th

[@BB0ysGames]

something really look-alike happened yesterday (28/12/17)...weird huh?

[@lorklorkman7937]

I really would've liked to have seen this celtics in the finals so they could have been crushed and swept by shaq and kobe

[@vedantkumar1089]

Where's Vince Carter

[@eddierountreejr3932]

he got traded there 2 years later

[@jettbosnak3179]

toronto

[@jonathanfrimerman8855]

Finals shouldve been Celtics vs Kings

[@jamezason]

9:07 get him a wheelchair asap!!!!

[@clarkestevegil4085]

SPG TL OR S

[@kev9617]

I would’ve went clubbing until the sun rose

[@clarkestevegil4085]

Can MMA who beat football!

[@clarkestevegil4085]

SPG TL

[@rattlehead54321]

still lost the series in 6

[@arizonaFIREent]

rattlehead54321 Celtics 17 rings > Nets 0

[@clarkestevegil4085]

SPG TL NBA

[@tysonsarratt9604]

02 Finals Celtics VS Lakers

[@hasanmehti7900]

Yeah big come back but after than they lost the series