Kyrie Irving received a hostile reception from Celtics fans on Thursday as the Mavericks headed to Boston for Game 1 of the NBA Finals.
Irving, who played for the Celtics from 2017 to 2019, has maintained an acrimonious relationship with the team’s fan base since his turbulent departure to Brooklyn capped a disappointing series with the C’s.
The not-so-friendly receptions continued when Irving, now a Maverick, returned to Beantown to open the season finale at his old stomping ground.
Before Thursday’s game, fans outside TD Garden chanted “F**k Kyrie” while holding up a blow-up doll with the point guard’s face stuck to his head.
The fans then huddled together to throw the inflatable figure around and appeared to knock him to the ground.
Kyrie Irving received a frosty welcome in Boston ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals
The hostility didn’t stop outside the arena, as fans repeatedly chanted “Kyrie sucks” as soon as the game started.
Irving’s time in Boston followed his tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he won a championship in 2016.
Much of the build-up led to disappointment, however, and Irving would join Kevin Durant and James Harden in the failed Brooklyn Nets experiment of 2019-2023.
Since then, none of Irving’s visits to Massachusetts have been pleasant. The former Duke star memorably threw fans away from behind his head. In another incident, a fan was thrown out of the arena for allegedly throwing a water bottle at Irving.
Irving was happy to meet fans and have his picture taken during his time in Boston
A man believed to have thrown a water bottle at Irving is escorted out by security
Although his relationship with the Bostonians appears to be irreparably broken, Irving claims to have maintained a good relationship with Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Irving, Luka Doncic and the Mavs routed the Clippers, Thunder and Timberwolves to appear in the finals.
On the other hand, Boston went 12-1 in the Playoffs, beating the Heat, Cavaliers and Pacers, making them the favorites to win the title.