Paul Pierce Era Begins

Lore & Background

Following the season, Ray Allen departed via free agency for the eventual champion Miami Heat, effectively ending the Big 3 era in Boston. During his 2 years with the Heat, Allen would help them win a title the following year over the San Antonio Spurs in seven games, and appear again in the 2014 Finals against the same Spurs team. It was also the NBA's first time without Shaquille O'Neal since 1991–92, as he retired in May 2011 and played his final season as a Celtic.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the TD Garden crackled with a familiar intensity during the 2008 Finals. The clock ticked down against the Los Angeles Lakers, and Paul Pierce surveyed the defense, the weight of the franchise resting on his shoulders. He drove hard to the basket, absorbing contact from multiple defenders before launching a fading jumper over a towering rim protector. The ball arced through the stadium lights, swishing through the net just as the buzzer sounded in Game 6. A roar erupted from the stands—a sound missing for nearly two decades—and Pierce simply nodded, his eyes locked on the scoreboard. He wasn't just playing for points; he was reclaiming a throne.

Reader's Guide

Key dates: June 23: The 2011 NBA draft took place at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. December 25: The regular season begins with a matchup against the New York Knicks in a rematch from the previous season's playoffs. April 18: The Celtics secure the Atlantic Division title in a 102–98 win against the Orlando Magic. April 29: The 2012 NBA Playoffs started. May 10: The Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, defeating the Atlanta Hawks. May 25: The Celtics advanced to the Eastern Conference finals, defeating the Philadelphia 76ers. June 9: The Celtics were defeated by the Miami Heat and were eliminated from the NBA Playoffs. Roster notes: Forward Jeff Green missed the entire season due to recovery from a heart surgery. Awards: Paul Pierce was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week twice (January 30 – February 5 and March 26 – April 1). Kevin Garnett was named Eastern Conference Player of the Week (April 9 – 15). Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo participated in the 2012 NBA All-Star Game. It was their 10th and 3rd appearance respectively. On March 22 Paul Pierce surpassed Clyde Drexler on the All-time scoring leaders table in a 100–91 win against the Milwaukee Bucks. Injuries: Jeff Green was not available for the 2011–12 season due to recovery from a heart surgery. Chris Wilcox was out for the season in March with a cardiac irregularity. Jermaine O'Neal was out for the season on March to have surgery on his left wrist. Rajon Rondo earned a two-game suspension for throwing the ball to a referee during a game against the Detroit Pistons on February 19 and was suspended for one game during the playoffs for bumping a referee on game 1 of the first round against the Atlanta Hawks.

Did You Know?

• The leading scorer was Paul Pierce, averaging 19.4 PPG.
• Rajon Rondo led the team and the league in assists per-game with 11.7.
• The Celtics lost the Eastern Conference finals in seven games to the eventual NBA champion Miami Heat.
• Ray Allen departed via free agency for the Miami Heat after the season, ending the Big 3 era.