Boston, MA (Best E Casino) - Boston Celtics forward Paul Pierce was carried off the court and placed in a wheelchair with a sprained right knee, but incredibly returned to the game later in the third quarter of the opener of the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Kobe Bryant drove to his right and then hit a fall away jumper with just under seven minutes left in the third for the Lakers. Boston's Kendrick Perkins was going for a possible rebound, but seemed to land on Pierce's leg.

Pierce was lying on his back under the basket holding his leg and was then carried off the court, put in a wheelchair and taken to the locker room.

However, less than two minutes later on the game clock, the capacity crowd at TD Banknorth Garden erupted as the six-time All-Star walked out of the tunnel.

The Lakers were ahead 62-58 when Pierce left, but trailed 63-62 when Pierce checked back into the game.

Perkins also left in the third with a sprained left ankle, but was expected to return.