It was a rough night for the ex-Boston Celtics icon and NBA Hall of Famer, who ended up in custody in Los Angeles on DUI charges. According to police reports, Paul Pierce was discovered asleep at the wheel of his Range Rover, which was stopped in the middle of the U.S. 101 freeway.

Officers from the California Highway Patrol responded around 10:40 p.m. to a multi-vehicle accident. During rescue operations and while clearing the lanes, they noticed Pierce’s car stopped in the middle of the road. As they approached, they reportedly found him unconscious but unharmed, showing clear signs of intoxication.

The roadside check led to his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence – a misdemeanor, but one that could still have serious implications for a public figure like him. The case is now being reviewed by the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office, which will decide whether to press formal charges.

After the news broke, Pierce addressed the incident on social media, sharing a post with a photo taken inside his car that same evening. In the caption, he explained that he had been stuck in traffic for over 45 minutes and fell asleep out of exhaustion, not because of alcohol:

Imagine being stuck in standstill traffic for 45 minutes and falling asleep. I took this photo that night because I had never been stopped for so long. I’m old, I’m tired, and I fell asleep. I’m fine guys, thanks for the love

Paul Pierce

A message in which the former player tried to downplay the episode, thanking fans for their support and assuring everyone he’s fine.

In recent years, Pierce had transitioned into sports media, working as an analyst on Fox Sports’ talk show Speak, which was canceled last summer. Now, however, the spotlight is back on him for reasons that – if confirmed – are far less glorious.