Kyrie Irving discussed facing the Celtics in the NBA Finals, reflected on ‘rough time’ in Boston

Kyrie Irving discussed meeting the Celtics in the NBA Finals and pondered on ‘tough time’ in Boston.

After the Mavericks officially won a position in the NBA Finals versus the Celtics, at least some of the attention naturally shifted to the Kyrie Irving-Boston storyline.

Irving, 32, will face the side he previously played for from 2017 to 2019. It’s not the first time he’s played against the Celtics since leaving as a free agency, nor is it his first playoffs matchup in Boston. However, given the bad impression surrounding his tenure with the franchise (and subsequent departure), Irving’s response to meeting the Celtics was always going to be an interesting postgame moment.

Ernie Johnson brought up the matter briefly during an on-court interview following the Mavericks’ Game 5 triumph in the Western Conference Finals. When asked if he was “looking forward” to returning to Boston, Irving was blunt.

“Yes, absolutely,” he said. “Boston is in the way of our aim. “That’s it.”