What really happened between Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics? Find out more about this bittersweet relationship as we explain how the Kyrie and Celtics beef started.
The Kyrie Irving and Boston Celtics beef
Back in 2017, after losing to the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, Kyrie wanted a fresh start. In that same summer, Uncle Drew requested a trade from the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs front office granted his wish. Later on, he was shipped to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and two draft picks.
Initially, Kyrie in Boston seemed like a promising idea. The Celtics featured an extremely talented young core that included Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Kyrie was expected to be the final piece that could propel the team to being championship contenders again after the Garnett, Pierce, Allen, and Rondo era. His skills on the court were undeniable, and his ability to take over games with dazzling dribbles and clutch shots excited fans.
However, troubles started appearing during the 2017–2018 season
Kyrie played exceptionally well, and the Celtics were looking like the best team in the East. That was until Irving injured his knee. Surprisingly, the Tatum-led Celtics managed to reach the Eastern Conference Finals and gave LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers a tough time, making it to seven games.
After a deep playoff run, Kyrie Irving returned completely healthy for the 2018–2019 season. It was a year in which fans thought he was about to bring the C’s back on top again. He even publicly declared his intention to re-sign with Boston, telling fans, “If you guys will have me back, I plan on re-signing here.”
Kyrie plans on re-signing with the #Celtics next year!
Where’d we hear that? STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH!☘️☘️
(Kyrie, not calling you a horse brotha) pic.twitter.com/cUafXe4vM2
— Guy Boston Sports (@GuyBostonSports) October 4, 2018
Yet, their season was worse than last year’s. The Celtics struggled to find chemistry on the court, with Kyrie often clashing with younger teammates. The team’s leader became distant from everyone. Moreover, Kyrie’s off-court issues became evident. He became inconsistent, and this led to the team’s demise. In the 2019 playoffs, the Celtics were quickly bounced by the Milwaukee Bucks in the second round, 4-1.
After a few weeks, fans were shocked—but not surprised—that Kyrie chose to play for the Brooklyn Nets and teamed up with his close friend, Kevin Durant, instead of re-signing with the Celtics. This decision meant war for Boston fans, and Kyrie has been painted as a villain ever since.
Every time he returns to the TD Garden, Kyrie receives a lot of boos and backlash from the Celtics fanbase
Kyrie also had multiple viral interactions with fans in the Garden that fueled the idea that Kyrie is a bad guy. In 2020, Kyrie Irving sparked fire on the internet after burning incense in the arena on his return to Boston.
Fans also remember that time when Kyrie seemingly purposely stomped on Lucky the Leprechaun, the Celtics’ logo. Celtics fans did not take this lightly, and of course, they wanted Kyrie’s head on a spike after that. There were more occasions where fans and Kyrie had heated interactions. Truly, this beef has been going on for years now. At this rate, it feels like Kyrie Irving is Boston’s biggest enemy since Kobe Bryant.
Kyrie appeared to step on the Boston logo as he greeted his teammates at half court postgame.
(via @yornoc74) pic.twitter.com/thcXjX15He
— ESPN (@espn) May 31, 2021
This was my video from the time when Cole Buckley tossed an empty water bottle at Kyrie Irving in May 2021
Cole Buckley has a lifetime ban from TD Garden from this incident. pic.twitter.com/pKUO3VwWpR
— GreenRunsDeep (@CelticsGRD) June 2, 2024
Why did Kyrie leave the Celtics?
Kyrie Irving admitted that there were a lot of factors that led to his departure from the Boston Celtics. During a stream, the All-Star point guard revealed some of the reasons why he chose to play for Brooklyn in 2019. As he mentioned, he was ready to re-sign for the Celtics after the 2018–2019 season. Unfortunately, that decision would change after his grandfather’s death. His grandfather was a huge part of his basketball journey, and Kyrie admitted he fell into depression after his passing.
Before that, injuries also took a toll on his mental health. As a result, he couldn’t play as effectively as he had before. Furthermore, Irving revealed that Boston fans have become worse, and he can’t take the racism in the city anymore.
After carefully deliberating his status, Kyrie thought that it would be better if he stayed closer to his family in New Jersey. All of these factors led to Kyrie joining Durant in Bed-Stuy. Unfortunately, his time in Brooklyn wasn’t that bright either. Although he had KD and James Harden, the team failed horrendously in the playoffs. Aside from that, Kyrie was the center of attention for all the bad reasons.
Kyrie will face the Celtics again. This time, it’s the NBA Finals
Thankfully, he was able to redeem himself this season as he helped bring the Dallas Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals. Almost nobody thought that the Kyrie Irving-Luka Doncic duo would work. Up until this point, no one believed in Dallas.
Well, the basketball Gods are really writing another epic story. A battle between Kyrie and the Celtics. A battle that would be remembered for centuries.
DALLAS 🆚 BOSTON IN THE NBA FINALS 🏆
JUNE 6 ON ABC 🍿 pic.twitter.com/r12Cbs1KBQ
— ESPN (@espn) May 31, 2024
Boston fans, known to be one of the most toxic NBA fanbases, won’t go easy on Luka and Kyrie. It’s going to be a bloodbath down south, and this will be a terrific finals matchup for everyone tuning in. Even now, fans are talking trash to Kyrie, and the championship round hasn’t even started yet!
“F*** Kyrie” chants outside of TD Garden 😭pic.twitter.com/dYwS8yT5In
— SM (@SMHighlights1) May 28, 2024
