Kyrie Irving has gone from thinking of a long-term future in Boston to giđving Celtics fans a one-finger salute.
Irving appeared to flip the bird to the TD Garden crowd on Sunday during hiâs playoff return to the city. The former Celtic was at one point expected to sign an extension and remain in Boston for the long term but instead eschewed that route, joining with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn.
At the time, Irving cited his grandfatâherâs recent death as well as wanting to be closer to his hometown in New Jersey for the move.
Drama has followed Irving to the Nets, most recently with his standoff with Mayor Eric Adams oveęĻr the COęĻVID-19 vaccine. And thereâs certainly no love lost between Irving and the Boston fans, who booed him on Sunday.
Irvingâs full-time return late last month gave the Nets a major boost aheaâĻd of the postseason. Though they had a disappointing regular-season record, Brooklyn got through the playđĻ-in round with a victory over Cleveland.
That set up Irving for a return to Boston in front of a hostile croáŖwd.
Iđrving exchanged words with Celtics fans in the tunnel as well.
Warning: Explicit language
Irving scored 39 points in the Nets’ Game 1 loss to the Celtics. Game 2 is in Boston on Wednesday.