Kyrie Irving calls out Celtics fans after Mavericks’ Game 1 loss
After his Dallas Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Kyrie Irving took a moment to call out the fans in attendance at TD Garden.
When asked on Wednesday ahead of Game 1 about returning to Boston and facing the Celtics – and their fans – in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, Kyrie Irving downplayed the impact the crowd would have on him.
“There’s no fear out here, man. It’s basketball,” Irving told reporters at NBA Finals media day. “The fans are going to say what they’re going to say.”
Given his comments just over 24 hours later after Game 1, it seems like the fans may not have said enough for Kyrie’s liking.
“I thought it was going to be a little louder in here,” Irving said postgame, before adding “but I’m expecting the same things going into Game 2. [The] crowd trying to get me out of my element, my teammates out of my element.”
On the surface it’s not the most animus line, but coming from Irving – given his history with Celtics fans – it holds a little more weight. “Being in this environment, I’m used to it at this point,” Irving highlighted. “Early in my career, there was a different relationship that I had with Boston and just being able to come here, be settled with a veteran group. Now I’m here as a veteran, over the past few years, just experiencing the playoffs here, even regular season, it’s been the same thing.”
Plus, the general consensus of those at the game was that the TD Garden environment seemed excellent on Thursday night. The crowd put there focus on Irving specifically too, booing him in unison whenever he touched the basketball (perhaps he was disappointed that the first ‘Kyrie sucks!’ chant didn’t come until the second half).
Based on his play, something clearly got to Irving in Game 1 – whether it was the crowd, his former teammates, the stage of the NBA Finals, or something else. He has one of his least-productive games of the playoffs so far scoring just 12 points on 6-of-19 shooting, including an 0-of-5 mark from deep.
Perhaps even more damaging that his lack of scoring was Irving’s lack of creating and playmaking. One of the Mavericks top playmakers who head coach Jason Kidd called a “quarterback” before the game, Irving finished with just two assists (a single-game low in these playoffs) and three turnovers. He was a team-worst minus-19 for the game.
Irving has now lost his last 11 head-to-head matchups with the Celtics, with the sample size there becoming more and more consistent. He’ll likely have a tougher time in Game 2, with his comments sure to rile up the Sunday evening crowd.
Tip-off for Game 2 is set for 8:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. Pregame coverage begins at 7:00 on 98.5 The Sports Hub and the BetMGM Celtics Radio Network.
Keep reading for more on the Celtics Game 1 win…
Celtics 107-89 win over the Mavericks in Game 1 of the NBA Finals led by Porzingis, Brown
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS – JUNE 06: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics reacts as he dunks the ball against Maxi Kleber #42 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second quarter in Game One of the 2024 NBA Finals at TD Garden on June 06, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
Fourth Quarter:
Jaylen would continue to stay hot early in the fourth hitting the first basket of the quarter trying to leave no doubt in the Celtics lead. The teams would trade blows early in the fourth but with Boston leading by 20 to start the quarter Dallas would need to do a lot more than just trade baskets with Boston. Derrick White would hit a layup with 8:34 to go in the game to extend Boston’s lead back up to 21. Dallas’ defense wasn’t getting enough stops to cut into Boston’s lead, the teams would continue to trade baskets throughout the quarter with an Al Horford layup after a Tatum offensive rebound would put Boston up 96-75 with 6:09 to go.
Jrue Holiday one of the big offseason acquisitions by Celtics GM Brad Stevens was making his impact felt on both ends all night, as he’d hit a 3 pointer to make it 99-75 with 5:28 to go in the game and Boston getting closer to that ever important 1-0 series lead. Boston wouldn’t let up as the quarter went on leading by 20 for most of the 4th, Jason Kidd would basically wave the white flag with 5 minutes to go taking Irving and Doncic out of the game as the Mavericks couldn’t get any closer. Boston would continue to do everything right in the fourth going up 105-84 with 1:49 to go coasting to a 1-0 series lead with game 2 set for Sunday night at the Garden. The Celtics would go on to win by 107-89 dominating for large stretches of the game and making it look easy at times, if Dallas is going to rebound in game 2 their defense is going to need to make massive adjustments.
Scaz’s takeaways
- Celtics dominate with a very average Tatum offensive game
- Porzingis looked healthy and ready to go a great sign for the Celtics
- Jaylen Brown was great on both ends of the floor
- Dallas’ defense needs to make massive adjustments for game 2
