Ahead of the 2024 NBA Finals Game 1 between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, the home fans brought a Kyrie Irving blow-up doll and chanted slogans, "F**k Kyrie." The Celtics fans showed no mercy towards their former star guard's return to the TD Garden as they booed and jeered the eight-time All-Star throughout the game.
The Boston Celtics took a 1-0 lead after defeating the Dallas Mavericks in Game 1 by 107-89 at the TD Garden. Ahead of the game, a group of Celtics fans were spotted at Causeway Street outside the arena holding a blow-up doll with Kyrie Irving's face and hurled chants of "F**k Kyrie".
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The Celtics received a massive boost in the NBA Finals with the return of star center Kristaps Porzingis, who was out of action since April 29 with a strained right calf. Porzingis started off the bench and had a spectacular night with 20 points, six rebounds, and three blocks in 21 minutes.
During the game, the Celtics fans didn't hold back and kept mocking Kyrie Irving. The entire TD Garden echoed the slogans of "Kyrie S**k".
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After the Celtics beat the Mavericks, which was the 11th straight loss for Kyrie Irving against Boston, the home fans stomped on the Kyrie Irving blow-up doll and ripped it apart.
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Irving not bothered by Celtics fans booing
In a post-game interview, Kyrie told reporters, " It’s basketball at the end of the day. Being in this environment, I’m used to it at this point. Over the past few years in the playoffs here, regular season, it’s been the same thing. I thought I was going to be a little louder in here. But I’m expecting the same things. Going to Game 2, crowd trying to get me out of my element."
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