RETIRING NBA star Paul Pierce made an emotional farewell appearance in Boston on Sunday, sinking the final basket for the Los Angeles Clippers in their 107-102 loss to the Celtics.

    Pierce, a 10-time NBA All-Star, played 15 seasons for the Celtics and was the 2008 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player in leading Boston to the title.

    The 39-year-old forward kissed the middle of the Boston Garden court before making a rare start for the Clippers, playing the first five minutes as the Celtics seized a 15-6 lead.

    Pierce shed tears from the bench as the crowd gave him a standing ovation during a video highlight display, fans chanting “We Want Paul” and “Thank You Paul” much of the second half.

    Their screams were rewarded when Clippers coach Doc Rivers called upon Pierce with 20 seconds remaining and he responded by making a 3-pointer, extending his run of having never gone scoreless in Boston.

    “I’m thankful he gave me that opportunity and that I got out here and made a bucket,” Pierce said. “Truly great to play for the best fans in the world for 15 years and they showed it tonight. They just showered me with love.”

    Pierce, second on the Celtics all-time scoring list, has averaged 20.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals a game for his 18-year NBA career, including stops in Brooklyn and Washington as well as L.A. But nowhere loves him more than Boston. “I’ve been enjoying every moment of it,” Pierce said. “Great fans. They have enjoyed everything I have been able to do. It’s great to come in here one last time and get all this attention.”

    Isaiah Thomas scored 28 points to lead the Celtics, who took a club-record 52 3-point shots and made 16 of them, while the Clippers had 23 points each from Blake Griffin and Jamal Crawford.(SD-Agencies)