When Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett returned to Boston in December and was asked if it might be his final game here, he abruptly ended an interview session, clearly in no mood to consider — or at least discuss — his basketball mortality.
But when Paul Pierce was asked a similar question on Wednesday night before his Clippers faced the Celtics, he was more comfortable with the topic and even sounded comfortable with the reality that the end is near.
“It could be,’’ Pierce said. “I’m not 100 percent sure. But like I’ve been saying the last two years, I’m taking it year by year. But this could possibly be [it].’’
Pierce spent his first 15 seasons with the Celtics, averaging 21.8 points and 6 rebounds and establishing himself as a franchise legend. He has been back in TD Garden with opposing teams before, and he said it remains strange to enter the opposing locker room. But his fondness for this franchise, this building, and this city have not wavered.
“It’s always a special place,’’ Pierce said. “The fans really appreciate what I’ve been able to do over my career, not only on the court but off the court, how I embraced the city of Boston, the culture, the work I was able to do in the community. They appreciate that, so this has a special place in my heart.’’
Pierce said he at least fleetingly considered signing a free agent contract with the Celtics last summer. But ultimately, he said, the allure of being closer to friends and family in Los Angeles, playing for Doc Rivers, and playing for a title contender was too much to pass up.
“The Celtics were a rebuilding team,’’ said Pierce, who is averaging 5.7 points and 17.7 minutes this season. “I think my time here ran its course. I had a great career here, 15 long years. What more could you ask for? We won a championship here, so I had my time.’’
When asked if he would consider working in the Celtics’ front office after retiring as a player, he welcomed the idea.
“I’ll keep all possibilities open,’’ Pierce said. “If an opportunity presents itself, I would love to. It’s a Class A organization with what they’ve been able to do. Wyc [Grousbeck] and Steve [Pagliuca] are great owners. They have a great young core, a great young coach. Who knows?’’
Strange day indeed
This was not the first time Pierce returned to Boston since being traded from the Celtics. And it was not the first time Rivers returned to Boston since leaving the team. But it was the first time the two came and sat on the opposing bench together.
And even though enough time has passed since both departures, Rivers acknowledged it would be strange coaching Pierce at TD Garden while representing a team other than the Celtics. Rivers said it is also unusual coaching Pierce on a team for which he is not a headliner.
“It is different,’’ Rivers said. “At the end of games I still have him on the floor, running something that he can be involved in. But what’s been harder for me with Paul is trying to figure out the right amount of minutes. We’re doing the Kevin Garnett thing with the minutes, even more so with Paul. It’s great.’’
Duly impressed
If the playoffs started now, the Celtics would actually have a higher playoff seeding than the Clippers — even though Los Angeles has a better record. Boston’s rapid ascension has impressed Rivers.
“They just keep getting better,’’ he said. “Danny [Ainge] has added, I think, about 22 players that can really play. They’re deep as heck, they’re talented as heck. Brad [Stevens] has done an amazing job. I don’t think people understand. It’s one thing to have eight good players or nine good players. It’s tough when you have 12.’’
Olynyk injured
Celtics forward Kelly Olynyk left the game in the second quarter after colliding with DeAndre Jordan, and the results of his shoulder X-rays were not immediately known. Regardless, he will have at least a week to recover because of the All-Star break . . . Celtics forward Jae Crowder continues to play through a sprained ankle. Crowder referred to it this week as a high ankle sprain, an injury that typically sidelines a player. But Stevens said the assurances of both Crowder and the team’s medical staff have made the coach comfortable playing him. “Obviously when you have a twisted ankle, at any time that could twist again,’’ Stevens said. “He wouldn’t be on the court if they both didn’t think he was OK to do that.’’
Adam Himmelsbach can be reached at adam.himmelsbach@ globe.com.
