Pierce helped lead Boston to their first championship in over 20 years back in 2008 to secure his place in Celtics history.
But it was his passion for the game and his love for the famous green jersey that endeared him to the TD Garden crowd.
And following the Celtics’ game against the Cleveland Cavaliers this evening, he will be joined by esteemed company when his No 34 jersey is lifted to the rafters of the arena.
The 40-year-old was selected with the 10th overall pick in the 1998 NBA draft, a team he despised growing up as a Los Angeles Lakers fan.
But he quickly fell in love with the Eastern Conference team and thus begun a 15-year stay in which he became moved to second on the Celtics’ all-time scoring list, only behind John Havlicek.
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It was alongside the likes of Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen which saw Pierce enjoy his most successful spell with Boston.
The famous quartet would go on to stun Kobe Bryant’s Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals, including the memorable ‘wheelchair’ Game 1 when Pierce left the court clutching his knee.
But he later returned minutes later hobbling and to help inspire Boston to the win.
Robert Parish came out this week ahead of Pierce’s jersey retirement to claim the 10-time All-Star was a better offensive player than Larry Bird.
And his former Celtics coach Doc Rivers is also in attendance at the TD Garden to pay tribute to Pierce.
How to watch Paul Pierce jersey retirement
The ceremony will begin following the Celtics’ game against the Cavaliers this evening on BT Sport 2/
The Garden have been airing small tributes during some timeouts of the game but there is expected to be one huge montage once he takes to the court.
Who is in attendance?
As said above, Pierce has been joined by former team-mates Rondo and Garnett but Ray Allen is NOT there.
Allen posted a photo of him playing golf instead on social media, suggesting he wasn’t invited.
Antoine Walker, Rivers and Parish are also in Boston for the ceremony.