This pinched nerve deal for Pierce has been a multi-year thing. I think he first aggravated it in a collision in 2010 during a home game against the Spurs. He got hit on one side and clutched his neck on the other. It was reported that he re-aggravated it in practice a few days later and might miss a game but didn't. I know zilch about pinched nerves but it can't be good to get hit over and over in the same spot in a way that re-aggravates it. When KG got suspended against Miami in the 2010 playoffs, he was looking after Pierce who looked like he might've pinched his nerve again after a collison with Q-Rich. I think he actually he hurt his nerve again in game 7 of the Finals that year too.