Kyrie Irving extends ‘respect’ to the Celtics after losing to Boston in the NBA Finals.
Despite his established role as a notorious Boston sports villain, Dallas Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving chose to take the high road on Monday following the Celtics’ championship celebration. With just over two minutes left in Boston’s Game 5 clincher, Irving was subbed out and made sure to hug Joe Mazzulla and every Celtics player before heading back to Dallas’ bench in defeat.
Irving’s embrace of the Celtics players as he exited the court was captured on video, highlighting a moment of respect despite the bitterness of losing to his former team. Despite a fanbase that often directs vitriol towards him, Irving praised the Celtics at TD Garden as Boston celebrated its record-setting 18th championship.
“We finally ran into a team that beat us fair and square,” Irving commented on Dallas’ defeat. “We couldn’t respond to their runs or execute at a high level. Shaking everyone’s hands was a sign of respect for their journey. They’ve been through an incredible five-year span with Game 7s and Finals losses, so they know this bitter feeling. They used everything as motivation.”
Irving acknowledged the Celtics’ health and team cohesion, praising their ability to come together selflessly and excel in their roles. “We learned from this series what it takes to not only reach this level but win at it. The Celtics are the perfect example for us this season.”
Despite his tumultuous two-year stint in Boston from 2017-19, Irving maintains good relationships with several former teammates. He expressed admiration for Jaylen Brown, who won the NBA Finals MVP, and suggested that both Brown and Jayson Tatum deserved the honor. “Seeing JB win Finals MVP was big-time. He and Tatum have been like students and are now becoming teachers. I’m proud and motivated to get back to this position and win with my guys.”
Irving has struggled against Boston since leaving in 2019, winning only one of his last 15 meetings against the Celtics, including postseason games. While Boston had a clear edge in talent and depth, Irving acknowledged that elevating his game could have narrowed the gap for Dallas in this series.
