Former Boston Celtics star Paul Pierce was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) after California Highway Patrol officers found him asleep in his car on a Los Angeles highway late Tuesday night.
According to a press release from the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the incident occurred around 10:40 p.m. when officers were investigating a separate multi-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 101. After reopening several lanes about an hour later, they noticed a Range Rover SUV stopped in the road, where they found Pierce asleep behind the wheel.
CHP officers “noticed signs of alcohol impairment” and conducted a DUI investigation, which led to Pierce’s arrest on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. The case will be reviewed by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.
Pierce, 47, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The former NBA player spent 15 seasons with the Boston Celtics, helping the team secure the 2008 NBA Championship and earning the Finals MVP title. He later played for the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Clippers before retiring in 2017.
The 10-time NBA All-Star was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021. Most recently, Pierce served as a co-host on Fox Sports’ talk show Speak, which was canceled in July 2025.
Pierce’s arrest marks another troubling chapter for the retired NBA legend, whose post-basketball career has included a mix of sports commentary, business ventures, and controversy.
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