Celtics Fans Really Got in Kyrie Irving's Head
Kyrie Irving dropped 39 points on Sunday as his Brooklyn Nets lost to the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their opening round NBA playoff series. The Boston crowd was all over Irving, a former Celtic who is now hated in the city. The fans' treatment got to Irving, and he implied as much in the postgame press conference. Which was probably the worst thing he could do.
Here's Irving responding to some fans sitting courtside who were giving it to him:
Fuck kyrie! @espn @BleacherReport pic.twitter.com/DyTNNede7R
— Shawn Gill (@_Shawn_gill33) April 17, 2022
Here's a shot at him flipping off the fans:
Kyrie flipping off the fans ? pic.twitter.com/sZn35vCMjX
— somerandodegen (@somerandosports) April 17, 2022
And here he is finally having enough after being heckled on the way back to the locker room:
Kyrie LMFAO pic.twitter.com/0VECS2c2QR
— ? (@WestbrookHas2Go) April 17, 2022
After the game, Irving discussed why he responded the way he did and made it pretty clear he was over it:
Nets’ Kyrie Irving on Celtics crowd: “When people start yelling p—- and b—- and f—- you and all this, there’s only so much you can take as a competitor. We’re the ones expected to be docile and humble. … Nah, f—- that, that’s the playoffs.” pic.twitter.com/7cX0XNlUgT
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 17, 2022
And more:
Kyrie Irving on the energy from Celtics fans:
— Nets Videos (@SNYNets) April 17, 2022
"Embrace it. It's the dark side. Embrace it." pic.twitter.com/XKIwCyqSj1
Irving went off on Sunday, dropping 39 points with six assists, five rebounds a steal, a block and six 3-pointers. It wasn't enough as the Celtics won 115-114 on a Jayson Tatum buzzer-beater. Despite Irving's incredible game, he essentially admitted Boston's fans were in his head, which will only embolden them.
So, nice work Celtics fans. You did it.