While those around the NBA spent the last several days sweating out the free agency drama and refreshing Twitter, Paul Pierce took a break from the basketball world.

2014 World Series of Poker

The Truth was in Las Vegas, but not for the Summer League or free agency meetings—he was playing in the World Series of Poker Main Event. Paul was one of 6,683 entrants and made it through until late in the third day of competition, finishing around 800th place. He narrowly missed the money cutoff—the top 693 finishers make the earnings.

The Main Event is the 65th and final tournament of the WSOP and features countless professional players, a prize of $10 million—and of course the famed winner’s bracelet. While Paul finished short of the prize money, he had plenty of fun along the way, as he journaled on Twitter.

Paul even joined PokerNews for a live Google Hangout and talked about his relationship with the game.

“I really enjoy the game of poker,” Paul said. “I enjoy the competition. I enjoy the thrill of the chase. I enjoy the mental warfare. It’s a beautiful game. It’s one that’s tough to master.”

He also related it back to basketball, calling Jason Collins the best poker player he has taken the hardcourt with—and took a jab at his good friend Kevin Garnett, calling him the worst.

“We play on the planes. When I go in my room, I get on my room and I’m always practicing,” The Truth said. “My man Jason Collins (is the best.) Jason plays a lot. When we’re on the road, we’ll go to the casino and try to find games. KG is the worst. He loses and he quits.”

Paul was in great standing until the second day, when his luck turned south. However, he survived until Day 3, when he made an impressive turnaround.

By Thursday afternoon, he had nearly broken the Top 100. However, the WSOP setup, which features constantly increasing blinds and antes, keeps constant pressure on players.

Celebrities and athletes are somewhat common at the WSOP’s Main Event, but poker journalists and players kept a close eye on The Truth throughout.

On the basketball front, Paul’s run was also followed closely by several Brooklyn Nets and NBA journalists, who envied No. 34 while he distanced himself from the free agency hoopla that consumed the league.

After a nice Day 3 comeback, Paul’s luck finally ran out. The Truth caught two-pair Aces and Fours on the river and pushed all 129,000 chips into the table. His opponent, Christopher Smith, deliberated then called, flipping over a two-pair of Aces and Jacks, good enough to knock Pierce from the competition.

PokerNews described his final moments in the tournament:

Pierce lent down over the table, retrieved his hand, tapped the table with it and then revealed his {A-Diamonds}{4-Diamonds} for a rivered two pair while uttering, “Damn!”
As Pierce shook hands with Smith, the rail chimed in with a few claps before Pierce added, “good run!”

It was a good run, indeed Paul.

https://twitter.com/ACBarron12/status/487392170685374464

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