NBA players tip their caps to Paul Pierce after 19-year career comes to a close

Clippers forwardPaul Pierce took the court for the final time Sunday in Game 7 of the first-round playoff series between theLA Clippers and the Utah Jazz.The Jazz left Staples Center with a 104-91 victory and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals.

Pierce had previously said he would retire after this season.

After the game, retired and current NBA players took to social media to congratulate him on a Hall of Fame-worthy career.

In October 2016, Pierce went on record to say that he plans to retire as a Boston Celticby signing a one-day contract with Boston once the 2016-17 season ends.

"I think I owe the fans and I owe myself that much, just to be able to put that uniform on one more time and go out that way, say I retired a Boston Celtic," Pierce told ESPN.

-- Meaghan Latella