The Truth?: Paul Pierce Was Not Wheelchaired From 2008 Finals to Use the Bathroom

Eleven years ago, Paul Pierce briefly exited Game 1 of the NBA Finals with what appeared to be a potentially serious right leg injury. Then later re-emerged to help the Celtics defeat the Lakers en route to capturing their first NBA title in over 20 years.
Over the years, there's been debate over the seriousness of Pierce's injury. While on the set of NBA Countdownย ahead of Game 3 of the 2019 NBA Finals on Wednesday, the Celtics legend seemed to admit why he went down and needed to be helped off the court.
"I have a confession to make," Pierce said. "I just had to go the bathroom."
"But why did you need a wheelchair to get to the bathroom?" Chauncey Billups quipped.
"Ah, something went down and I had to go to the bathroom," Pierce replied.
Or so we thought. Pierce later tweeted a cryptic, emoji-only tweet before finally revealing that he didn't need to use the restroom after all.
๐ฉ๐คฆ๐พโโ๏ธ๐คท๐พโโ๏ธ๐ค๐ค๐ค๐ค๐ค
โ Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) June 6, 2019
Sorry to bust yโall haters bubble but the only ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฉIng I did June 5 2008 was on the Lakers #factz #haterzgonnahate #๐๐๐
โ Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) June 6, 2019
Perhaps the truth is likely only known by the walls inside of the TD Garden locker room.