Kyrie Irving and the Dallas Mavericks are in another win-or-go-home showdown against the Boston Celtics on Monday. After keeping their season alive with an emphatic 122-84 win in Game 4, the Mavericks are looking to pull off back-to-back wins versus Boston. Irving told the media that he and his teammates must be “smartly desperate” to extend the series.

Late in the first half, that desperation showed up on the court. After Derrick White fumbled the ball, Irving chased after it, forcing him to land on the sidelines. He crashed into the ESPN table used by JJ Redick, Mike Breen and Doris Burke. “Uncle Drew” was helped by the people around the vicinity while the superstar guard ensured everyone was alright.

Throughout the sequence, the TD Garden remained unforgiving and showered their former star with:

“Kyrie sucks”

Since leaving the Celtics for the Brooklyn Nets in 2019, Irving has been getting all sorts of vitriol from fans of his former team. Boston’s faithful, over the past few years, have been having a blast as the mercurial point guard hasn’t had much success against them.

In Irving’s last playoff series against the Celtics’ he was swept in the first round. Together with Kevin Durant and James Harden in Brooklyn, they couldn’t get one win versus Boston in 2022. In the 2024 NBA Finals with the Dallas Mavericks, he is 0-2 against his former team on the road.

Kyrie Irving can still get back at Celtics fans in second half

When the Dallas Mavericks lost to the Boston Celtics in Game 2, Kyrie Irving told fans at TD Garden that he would see them in Game 5. Monday is that game and so far, Irving has been contained by Boston’s defense. He had five points and five assists in 21 minutes as the Mavs trailed big early 67-46.

Irving has built a reputation as one of the best playoff performers. Fans will not forget his shot over Steph Curry during the 2016 NBA Finals. If he could summon the same clutch display, the Mavericks might still have a chance of turning the game around.

Kyrie Irving can still get some payback against the same fans who used to adore him. He can do so by helping Luka Doncic carry the team to the finish line. If Irving continues to struggle, Dallas’ season could be over in 24 minutes.

The “Kyrie sucks” chants will not likely go away anytime soon. It will only go louder if the C’s hand the Mavs a beatdown. However, Irving can take the life out of that trolling if he can put on a show in Game 5.