Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving. Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Kyrie Irving has message for Celtics fans after Game 2 loss

By Sai Mohan | Last updated Jun 10, 2024 2:17 PM ET

Are Boston fans finally getting to Kyrie Irving?

Before the NBA Finals, Irving expressed remorse about his past behavior in Boston, admitting that he shouldn't have flipped the finger at fans in TD Garden a few years ago. Irving said he lacked the maturity to "compartmentalize or accept" emotions that come with failure, causing him to react the way he did.

Celtics fans weren't willing to sympathize with Irving, booing him mercilessly in Game 1 as he shot 6-of-19 from the field for 12 points.

After the game, Irving took a subtle shot at Celtics fans when he said they weren't loud enough. Before Game 2, the Celtics highlighted Irving's quote on the video board to rile up the fans.

Celtics put Kyrie Irving’s quote from Game 1 on the jumbotron to hype up TD Garden

(via @BenGolliver) pic.twitter.com/rzQ5aGWdfV
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 9, 2024

Irving likely saw the quote and got hyped too, starting Game 2 by making four of his first five shots. As the game progressed, Jrue Holiday clamped down on him and Irving's night went from bad to worse.

Slowly but surely, Irving started looking over his shoulders when fans taunted him (after keeping his composure through Game 1 and early Game 2).

Crazy Celtics fan last night kept yelling at Kyrie “Thank you for leaving”

Absolutely amazing pic.twitter.com/fJAVqtisnS
— GreenRunsDeep (@CelticsGRD) June 10, 2024

Even analysts at TD Garden noticed Irving's demeanor change gradually in Game 2.

"He was being demonstrative with the fans. That's not the Kyrie we saw all year who was at peace. I do think they [Celtics fans] affected him in Game 1 and 2," Brian Windhorst said on "Get Up" on ESPN.

After the game, Irving showed a little more emotion, promising the Celtic faithful that he and his Mavericks would be back in Boston for Game 5.

Kyrie Irving was letting the Celtics fans know the Mavs will be back for Game 5
pic.twitter.com/4nrgh7zuks
— Hoops (@HoopMixOnly) June 10, 2024

If Irving can back up his guarantee, the Mavericks will return to Boston for Game 5 next Monday.

Will Irving continue to be Mr. Nice Guy or turn it up a notch? Are we dealing with a case of bottled-up anger? We'll find out soon.

Sai Mohan

A veteran sportswriter based in Portugal, Sai covers the NBA for Yardbarker and a few local news outlets. He had the honor of covering sporting events across four different continents as a newspaper reporter. Some of his all-time favorite athletes include Mike Tyson, Larry Bird, Luís Figo, Ayrton Senna and Steffi Graf.

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