After the Nets defeated the Celtics in Recreation 4 of their first-round playoff sequence at TD Backyard final yr, former Boston level guard Kyrie Irving stomped on the leprechaun emblem as he left the court docket. On Sunday, he returned for the primary time since then.
He was booed each time he touched the ball, and within the remaining seconds of the Nets’ 126-120 loss, a loud “Kyrie sucks” chant broke out. After the sport, Irving, who left the Celtics following the 2018-19 season and signed with the Nets, stated he doesn’t count on Boston crowds to deal with him any in another way within the years to come back, earlier than including a jab of his personal.
“I do know it’s going to be like that the remainder of my profession coming in right here,” he stated. “It’s just like the scorned girlfriend who desires a proof on why I left, however nonetheless hoping for a textual content again. I’m identical to, ‘It was enjoyable whereas it lasted.’”
Irving completed Sunday’s recreation with 19 factors and 6 assists. Former Celtics large man Glen ‘Massive Child’ Davis, who sat in second-row seats and was concerned in some verbal sparring with Nets star Kevin Durant through the recreation, wore a T-shirt with a leprechaun on it that stated ‘Respect the brand,’ an obvious reference to Irving’s gesture final season.
Robert Williams a handful
The Nets had no reply for Robert Williams at both finish of the ground within the first half. Along with throwing down a number of dunks and going 5 for five from the sector, he swatted away 5 Brooklyn photographs. Typically it appeared as if the Nets have been unaware of his shot-blocking prowess. On one possession, Goran Dragic considerably lazily pushed into the lane and tried to flip up an informal underhand layup with Williams lurking. It didn’t finish effectively for him.
“He’s not essentially a stat sheet man,” Celtics coach Ime Udoka stated of Williams. “He does so many issues for us. Simply his presence on the market, protecting balls alive that he could not get credited for, altering photographs if he doesn’t block them and defending a number of positions. He’s not essentially a stat sheet man, like I discussed, however Rob is sort of the anchor for our protection and we all know how essential he’s.”
Williams completed with 10 factors, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks, 2 assists, and a couple of steals.
Nik Stauskas had option to make
Udoka stated veteran wing Nik Stauskas had about 5 potential suitors earlier than finally deciding to signal a two-year take care of the Celtics on Friday. He added that the staff was wanting into signing Stauskas earlier than second-year wing Aaron Nesmith suffered an ankle harm within the first quarter of Boston’s win over the Grizzlies on Thursday.
“It was a matter of him attempting to select the most effective spot for himself,” Udoka stated. “The capturing numbers, a confirmed NBA man that’s performed some minutes performed into it as effectively. He’s received a pattern dimension of what he’s completed within the NBA.”
Coach Ok made an impression on Ime Udoka
Udoka was an assistant coach with the USA Basketball Choose staff throughout Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s remaining few seasons main USA Basketball. He stated it was impactful being in conferences and attending staff meals with Krzyzewski, who coached his remaining regular-season recreation Saturday, when Duke misplaced to North Carolina.
“Yesterday was clearly a tricky recreation, however a celebration of his profession, which is loopy while you look again at how lengthy he’s been doing it and the gamers and lives he’s impacted,” Udoka stated. “It was mainly a full day of protection on it, so clearly it’s a testomony to what he’s completed, not simply as a coach and the numbers and the championships, however the gamers he’s touched and the those who got here again to assist him.”
Adam Himmelsbach may be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. Comply with him on Twitter @adamhimmelsbach.