Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce have been teammates in Boston for six seasons. In their first year together with Ray Allen, they won the NBA championship. The following year, they lost to the Orlando Magic in the second round. In 2010, they made it back to the Finals and lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games. The next two seasons, they were eliminated by LeBron James and the Miami Heat—once in the second round and once in the Conference Finals.
On Friday, they lost 87-80 to the New York Knicks, securing their earliest playoff exit of the Big Three era. Now, Garnett and Pierce may have played their final game together.
Pierce, 35, has one year left on a contract that will pay him $15.3 million, but he can be bought out for $5 million before June 30.
Garnett, 36, has two years left on the three-year, $36 million contract he signed last summer. However, if Pierce is bought out to save money, Garnett may opt to retire rather than play the final years of his career on a rebuilding team. After 18 seasons in the NBA, it's unknown whether he wants to keep taking the kind of beating that his body is subjected to night in and night out.
PHOTOS: Celtics-Knicks series 
Game 6 in Boston: Knicks 88, Celtics 80 - Carmelo Anthony is congratulated by J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert and Kenyon Martin.
Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 6 in Boston: Knicks 88, Celtics 80 - Jeff Green looks to drive as Raymond Felton defends.]()
Game 6 in Boston: Knicks 88, Celtics 80 - Jeff Green looks to drive as Raymond Felton defends.
David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 6 in Boston: Knicks 88, Celtics 80 - Paul Pierce drives on Carmelo Anthony.]()
Game 6 in Boston: Knicks 88, Celtics 80 - Paul Pierce drives on Carmelo Anthony.
David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 6 in Boston: Knicks 88, Celtics 80 - Raymond Felton goes up for a layup as Courtney Lee defends.]()
Game 6 in Boston: Knicks 88, Celtics 80 - Raymond Felton goes up for a layup as Courtney Lee defends.
David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 5 in New York: Celtics 92, Knicks 86 - Kevin Garnett reacts after being fouled.]()
Game 5 in New York: Celtics 92, Knicks 86 - Kevin Garnett reacts after being fouled.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 5 in New York: Celtics 92, Knicks 86 - Carmelo Anthony drives past Brandon Bass.]()
Game 5 in New York: Celtics 92, Knicks 86 - Carmelo Anthony drives past Brandon Bass.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 5 in New York: Celtics 92, Knicks 86 - Kevin Garnett attempts a shot while Tyson Chandler reaches out on defense.]()
Game 5 in New York: Celtics 92, Knicks 86 - Kevin Garnett attempts a shot while Tyson Chandler reaches out on defense.
Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 5 in New York: Celtics 92, Knicks 86 - Iman Shumpert rises for a layup.]()
Game 5 in New York: Celtics 92, Knicks 86 - Iman Shumpert rises for a layup.
Joe Camporeale, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 4 in Boston: Celtics 97, Knicks 90 (OT) - Knicks center Tyson Chandler dunks past Celtics forward Jeff Green.]()
Game 4 in Boston: Celtics 97, Knicks 90 (OT) - Knicks center Tyson Chandler dunks past Celtics forward Jeff Green.
Mark L. Baer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 4 in Boston: Celtics 97, Knicks 90 (OT) - Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony shoots over Celtics forwards Paul Pierce, right, and Brandon Bass.]()
Game 4 in Boston: Celtics 97, Knicks 90 (OT) - Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony shoots over Celtics forwards Paul Pierce, right, and Brandon Bass.
David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 4 in Boston: Celtics 97, Knicks 90 (OT) - Knicks guard Pablo Prigioni looks to pass between three Celtics defenders.]()
Game 4 in Boston: Celtics 97, Knicks 90 (OT) - Knicks guard Pablo Prigioni looks to pass between three Celtics defenders.
David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 4 in Boston: Celtics 97, Knicks 90 (OT) - Celtics coach Doc Rivers argues with a referee as Knicks guard Iman Shumpert waits.]()
Game 4 in Boston: Celtics 97, Knicks 90 (OT) - Celtics coach Doc Rivers argues with a referee as Knicks guard Iman Shumpert waits.
David Butler II, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 3 in Boston: Knicks 90, Celtics 76 - Knicks guard J.R. Smith, right, high-fives forward Carmelo Anthony.]()
Game 3 in Boston: Knicks 90, Celtics 76 - Knicks guard J.R. Smith, right, high-fives forward Carmelo Anthony.
Mark L. Baer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 3 in Boston: Knicks 90, Celtics 76 - Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony squares up against a double team.]()
Game 3 in Boston: Knicks 90, Celtics 76 - Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony squares up against a double team.
Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 3 in Boston: Knicks 90, Celtics 76 - A Celtics fan holds a "http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/05/04/kevin-garnett-paul-pierce-playoffs-knicks-celtics-nba-grizzlies-clippers/2134573/%23Boston Strong" sign.]()
Game 3 in Boston: Knicks 90, Celtics 76 - A Celtics fan holds a "http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/05/04/kevin-garnett-paul-pierce-playoffs-knicks-celtics-nba-grizzlies-clippers/2134573/%23Boston Strong" sign.
Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 3 in Boston: Knicks 90, Celtics 76 - Celtics forward Paul Pierce and Knicks guard Pablo Prigioni watch Pierce's shot.]()
Game 3 in Boston: Knicks 90, Celtics 76 - Celtics forward Paul Pierce and Knicks guard Pablo Prigioni watch Pierce's shot.
Mark L. Baer, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton shoots over Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce at Madison Square Garden.]()
Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -New York Knicks point guard Raymond Felton shoots over Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce at Madison Square Garden.
Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Boston Celtics power forward Jeff Green shoots over New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler at Madison Square Garden.]()
Boston Celtics power forward Jeff Green shoots over New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler at Madison Square Garden.
Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett guards New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony at Madison Square Garden.]()
Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett guards New York Knicks small forward Carmelo Anthony at Madison Square Garden.
Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce shoots while defended by New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler during the first quarter of Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.]()
Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce shoots while defended by New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler during the first quarter of Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green drives to the hoop past New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler during the first quarter of Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.]()
Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green drives to the hoop past New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler during the first quarter of Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony pulls up for a shot against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.]()
Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony pulls up for a shot against the Boston Celtics during the first quarter of Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith drives on Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green during the first quarter of Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.]()
Game 2 in New York: Knicks 87, Celtics 71 -New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith drives on Boston Celtics forward Jeff Green during the first quarter of Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.
Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett and New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler jump for the tip off at Madison Square Garden.]()
Boston Celtics center Kevin Garnett and New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler jump for the tip off at Madison Square Garden.
Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game1 in New York: Knicks 85, Celtics 78 - J.R. Smith throws down a dunk on Jeff Green.]()
Game 1 in New York: Knicks 85, Celtics 78 - J.R. Smith throws down a dunk on Jeff Green.
Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 1 in New York: Knicks 85, Celtics 78 -Carmelo Anthony reacts during the game.]()
Game 1 in New York: Knicks 85, Celtics 78 -Carmelo Anthony reacts during the game.
Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 1 in New York: Knicks 85, Celtics 78 -Raymond Felton goes for a layup, defended by Kevin Garnett.]()
Game 1 in New York: Knicks 85, Celtics 78 -Raymond Felton goes for a layup, defended by Kevin Garnett.
Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen ![Game 1 in New York: Knicks 85, Celtics 78 -Carmelo Anthony takes a jumper over Jeff Green.]()
Game 1 in New York: Knicks 85, Celtics 78 -Carmelo Anthony takes a jumper over Jeff Green.
Debby Wong, USA TODAY Sports
