Even though Kyrie Irving didn’t make the trip to Boston with the Nets, the point guard was still a the forefront of the discussion surrounding the game.
Well before tipoff, signs with Irving’s face and the word “coward” were posted outside TD Garden. Throughout the night, Celtics fans chanted “Kyrie sucks” and “Where is Ky-rie?”
It was impossible to ignore.
After the game, players on both sides were asked about the matter.
Believe it or not, Jarrett Allen expected worse:
I give Celtics fans a big up about it: They’re passionate fans. They were yelling it the whole game. … It could’ve been the whole game booing us every time we touched the ball. If Kyrie was here, it probably would’ve been 10 times worse. But they were giving it to us.
Dinwiddie was more confused about the fact Boston fans chanted without Irving even being present:
I had no preconceived notions. Whatever they had to say, he heard it through the TV I am sure, but … he’s not even here.
Kenny Atkinson kept his answer on the matter simple:
Don’t give it a second thought. Just tune it out.
Over on the other side, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens praised Irving before the game.
Celtics point guard Kemba Walker didn’t get caught up in the anti-Kyrie chants:
I don’t really pay attention to the Kyrie stuff. That’s just the fans and how they feel. That’s not something I’m really paying close attention to.
Celtics wing Jaylen Brown encouraged his team’s fan base to move on:
I think everything worked out for the better for everybody. I don’t think anybody in Boston should have anything to complain or boo about, to be honest. I think we’re winning, playing good basketball, the Celtics look good, Boston fans should be nothing but happy. I think the energy should shift from that to being more positive.
Irving handled the matter a little differently. He took to Instagram to let everyone know exactly how he felt about the way everything went:
Kyrie Irving just posted a long IG story: pic.twitter.com/WiryDi1m4b
— Boston.com Celtics News (@BDCCeltics) November 28, 2019