Kyrie Irving and his Dallas Mavericks were blown out on the road by his former Boston Celtics team in Game 1 of the NBA Finals Thursday night.
Irving was absolutely terrible in front of his former home crowd inside TD Garden Arena. The NBA champion shot just 6-of-19 from the field, scoring 12 points in the 107-89 loss.
Prior to the game, Irving was booed big time by Celtics fans. It was to be expected after his two-year run with the team ended in a drama-filled manner back in 2019.
Irving talked about the scene inside TD Garden following Thursday night’s brutal showing. His reaction is a bit surprising.
“I thought it was going to be a little louder in here,” Irving said, via The Athletic.
He also expanded on what to expect from Celtics fans in Game 2 Sunday evening.
“The environment is going to be what it is but my focus is on our game plan and making sure my guys feel confident and I feel confident and continue to shoot great shots,” Irving continued.
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Celtics fans aside, Kyrie Irving must be better for the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas acquired Irving from the Brooklyn Nets midway through the 2022-23 season to be that running partner for Luka Doncic.
For the most part this regular season and in the playoffs, the two have been absolutely dominant. It has changed the narrative some regarding Irving as a malcontent after drama-filled stays with the Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and Nets earlier in his career.
- Kyrie Irving stats (2024 postseason): 22.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 5.0 APG, 48% shooting, 40% 3-point
Much like he’s done throughout the postsason, Irving owned up to his struggles Thursday evening in Boston. He did not hold back.
“But again, the energy has to be focused towards the game,” Irving said. “I felt like I had a lot of great looks. They hit (the) back rim or were just a little left or right. Just got to stay confident and stay poised throughout this, man. This is the best time of the year to be playing. There’s only two teams left. Let’s put it in perspective.”
That’s the key. Hitting open and contested shots. Playing off Doncic. Acting as that No. 2 option. If Irving fails to do this Sunday, Dallas will head home in a 2-0 hole and facing the real possibility of this being a short series.