The 2024 NBA Finals kicked off with a bang as the Boston Celtics faced off against the Dallas Mavericks. One of the most anticipated storylines was Kyrie Irving’s return to TD Garden, where he once donned the green and white jersey. The Celtics faithful had mixed feelings about Irving, and the atmosphere was electric. However, Irving himself expected more from the crowd.
Irving’s past with the Celtics, marked by both promise and a contentious departure, added a layer of intrigue to the matchup. Following Game 1, a tweet by (@ClutchPoints) captured Kyrie Irving’s post-game comments regarding the Boston crowd:
“It’s basketball at the end of the day. Being in this environment, I’m used to it at this point. Earlier in my career, there was a different relationship that I had with Boston… I thought it was gonna be a little louder in here.”
“It’s basketball at the end of the day. Being in this environment, I’m used to it at this point. Earlier in my career, there was a different relationship that I had with Boston… I thought it was gonna be a little louder in here.”
Kyrie Irving on the environment and Celtics… pic.twitter.com/z1nJpYc1hR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 7, 2024
This quote encapsulates the complexities of Irving’s relationship with the Celtics fanbase.
The Anticipation
Kyrie Irving, an eight-time All-Star, spent two seasons with the Celtics (2017-2019). Despite high hopes, those years didn’t yield a championship. His departure to the Brooklyn Nets left a bitter taste in Boston fans’ mouths. The drama escalated when he burned sage near the court during return trips, flipped off fans, and even stepped on the Celtics’ logo at midcourt. So, when he returned to TD Garden for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the fans were ready.
The Reality
The Celtics faithful didn’t disappoint. Boos and chants echoed through the arena as Boston jumped out to a commanding lead. Kyrie Irving struggled, shooting just 6-of-19 from the field, while Luka Dončić led the way for the Mavericks with 30 points.The Celtics’ 107-89 victory was a stark reminder that championships eluded Irving during his Celtics tenure.
Kyrie Irving’s Reflection
After the game, Kyrie Irving addressed the environment. “It’s basketball at the end of the day,” he said. “Being in this environment, I’m used to it at this point. Earlier in my career, there was a different relationship that I had with Boston… I thought it was gonna be a little louder in here”. His words reflected both nostalgia and a desire for a more intense reception.
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