INQUIRER Sports

LAS VEGAS -- Las Vegas police briefly handcuffed and detained reigning NBA finals MVP Paul Pierce during a traffic stop in Las Vegas, American media reported on Monday.

Police spokesman Bill Cassell said the Boston Celtics star Pierce was initially hostile towards the police when pulled over while driving the Las Vegas strip on Sunday.

Police said Pierce was stopped in the early morning hours near the MGM Grand Hotel and given a drink driving test which he passed.

But Cassell said Pierce decided not to drive his car after being stopped.

Pierce helped lead the Celtics to their first championship in 22 years in June, a six-game triumph over the rival Los Angeles Lakers.