Washington Wizards: Top 5 Moments of the Decade

#2: (2015) Paul Pierce calls game against the Atlanta Hawks

The 2014-2015 season for the Wizards will probably always be remembered as the year of Paul Pierce. After a short stint in Brooklyn, Pierce came to Washington in the summer of 2014 to mentor the young backcourt of Wall and Beal.

He provided a fantastic veteran leadership that the Wizards so desperately needed and the ripple effects of Pierce and his style can still be seen in the Wizards today. However, Pierce’s leadership was not the only thing that he provided that season. He also provided a glimpse of what he was known for throughout his career, clutch shooting.

In a season in which the Wiz were once again able to nap the #5 seed in the East at, 46-36, Pierce really came alive in the playoffs. After a couple other clutch shots in the first round against Toronto, Pierce’s signature moment came in Game 3 of the Wizards second round matchup against the Atlanta Hawks.

With John Wall out with a broken hand, the Wizards had to rely on Pierce and Bradley Beal heavily in game 3. After a 26-point lead going into the 4th quarter, the Hawks fought back and ended up tying that game at 101-101 with about 8 seconds left. Cue Paul Pierce heroics.

Being known as such a clutch shooter during his years in Boston, everybody in the arena knew that even at age 37, Pierce was going to take that shot. After receiving a pass from Beal, Pierce asked for a clear out so he could go to work on Hawks guard, Dennis Schroder at the elbow. Seeing the iso, Kent Bazemore and Kyle Korver both came over to help in what affectedly ended up being a triple team.

However, Pierce was to much for them as he let the clock tick down, took a step back and banked in the game winner. It was a heroic effort that Wizards fans had so long starved for and they got it from one of the best to ever do it.

Paul Pierce’s shot against the Hawks will go down as not only one of the best shots in Wizards history, but one of the best shots in Pierce’s career. When being interviewed by ESPNs, Chris Broussard after the game, Pierce was asked if he called bank.

Pierce’s response? I called game.