The Nets narrowly lost in Kyrie Irving’s Game 1 homecoming of sorts against the Boston Celtics.
Irving predictably didn’t receive the warmest welcome from Bostonians at TD Garden, and after hitting a tough corner jumper, the Nets guard could be seen flipping off the Celtics faithful.
Kyrie flipping off Celtics fans after the jumper 😳 pic.twitter.com/jwbIt4kYpP
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) April 17, 2022
In the postgame presser, Irving explained the gesture to media members:
When people start yelling p***y and b***h and f**k you, there’s only so much you can take as a competitor…Nah f**k that, that’s the playoffs, it is what it is. I know what to expect in here and I’m ready to give the same energy back to them.
Adding that vitriol from Celtics fans fuels him. Saying:
Embrace it. Embrace it. That’s the dark side, embrace it.
Kyrie Irving: “When people start yelling pussy and bitch and fuck you, there’s only so much you can take as a competitor…Nah fuck that, that’s the playoffs, it is what it is. I know what to expect in here and I’m ready to give the same energy back to them.” https://t.co/AIhGfqNsRK
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) April 17, 2022
The Nets lost Sunday’s game 115-114, but nearly stole it behind an 18-point fourth quarter flurry from Uncle Drew himself. Kyrie finished with 39, leading the way for Brooklyn.
On the Nets last possession, Boston was able to force the ball out of Irving’s hands but Kevin Durant wasn’t able to hit the jumper that would’ve forced the Celtics to have to go for three to win in the final seconds.
Instead, a buzzer-beating layup from Jayson Tatum won the day for Boston.
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