Kyrie Irving played against his former team, the Boston Celtics, during game 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs on Sunday night.
Irving, who played two seasons with the Celtics, was met with a series of boos from fans at the TD Garden throughout the game. While the game was considered one of the most anticipated matchups in recent postseason history, the Celtics defeated the Brooklyn Nets 115-114 with a winning layup at the buzzer by All-Star forward Jayson Tatum, ESPN reported.
As fans continued to display their dislike for Irving, he was captured flipping off several attendees in the audience on two occasions in the game.
Kyrie 😤
(via @NBAUK)pic.twitter.com/2EH4POKFE3
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 17, 2022
The shooting guard told a fan to “suck my d**k” as he was headed to the locker room.
Kyrie is fed up with Celtics fans pic.twitter.com/HS0SbkHCGv
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 17, 2022
Irving told reporters he would have “the same energy for them” that the fans had for him in a post-game interview. He scored a team-high of 39 points in 42 minutes during the game.
“Look, where I’m from, I’m used to all these antics and people being close nearby,” Irving said. “It’s nothing new when I come into this building what it’s going to be like — but it’s the same energy they have for me. I’m going to have the same energy for them.”
Kyrie Irving comments on the Boston crowd. pic.twitter.com/yvdAm3WM7i
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 17, 2022
“And it’s not every fan. I don’t want to attack every fan, every Boston fan. When people start yelling ‘p—y’ or ‘b—-‘ and ‘f— you’ and all this stuff, there’s only but so much you take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble, take a humble approach, f— that, it’s the playoffs. This is what it is.”
Irving explained how there was “subtle racism” from the crowd, confirming that he heard racist comments at TD Garden.
“I know what to expect in here,” Irving said after Sunday’s game. “And it’s the same energy I’m giving back to them. It is what it is. I’m not really focused on it. It’s fun. You know what I’m saying? Where I’m from, I’ve dealt with so much, so coming in here, you relish it as a competitor. … This isn’t my first time at TD Garden, so what you guys saw, what you guys think is entertainment, or the fans think is entertainment, all is fair in competition.”
He continued, “So if somebody’s going to call me out on my name, I’m gonna look at them straight in the eye and see if they really ’bout it. Most of the time, they’re not.”
One reporter asked if the excessive taunting elevated his level as a competitor, and he quickly responded, “Embrace it,” Irving said. “Embrace it. It’s the dark side. Embrace it.”
Part 2: “it’s the dark side, embrace it.” pic.twitter.com/ILCxBA09UM
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) April 17, 2022
His coach and teammates believed the 30-year-old would put on his best performance while playing in what appeared to be a hostile environment.
“This is a guy that’s made the game-winning shot in the Finals,” Nets coach Steve Nash said. “He’s played in the Olympics. He’s played in the All-Star Game, All-Star Game MVP. I don’t know that there’s any atmospheres that are really gonna rattle him. … If he has an off night, he has an off night. I don’t think the crowd is a factor for Kyrie. This guy’s done about all you can do in the game.”
“I don’t think he worries about it,” the Nets star forward, Kevin Durant, added. “I think he just plays his game and do what’s required out there. And tonight, the shot-making, just controlling the game for us, was incredible. And that’s what we’re going to need going forward — so matter where he’s at, I think he’s the same player.”
Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs between the Nets and Celtics will be airing on Wednesday, April 20, at 7 p.m. on TNT.
