Despite Controversial Celtics Exit, Kyrie Irving Fondly Recalls His Time In Boston: "I Needed That Change Of Pace"

Kyrie Irving recently reflected positively on his initial time with the Boston Celtics during a Twitch stream with former teammate Jaylen Brown. He described feeling excitement upon joining the team in 2017, citing family connections to Boston—his father attended a nearby school and his mother graduated from Boston University. Irving emphasized that after his tenure in Cleveland, he "needed that change of pace" and appreciated being challenged daily by Boston's talented roster, calling the experience of wearing the Celtics uniform "crazy."

Irving played for the Celtics from 2017 to 2019, averaging 24.1 points, 6.1 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game. However, his exit was highly contentious. He broke promises to re-sign with the team and infamously stomped on the Celtics logo after joining the Brooklyn Nets, making him deeply unpopular among Boston fans. This controversy made his recent fond recollections surprising.

Post-Celtics, Irving faced his former team 28 times with the Cavaliers, Nets, and Mavericks, averaging 23.1 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.9 rebounds, with his teams going 13-15 against Boston. He left in 2019 primarily seeking a "change of scenery," personal reasons (including proximity to family in New Jersey), and a desire for more franchise control. Despite initially intending to stay, his tumultuous second season led him to depart, potentially costing the Celtics a dynasty alongside Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

Irving’s history with Boston culminated in the 2024 NBA Finals, where his Mavericks lost 4-1 to the Celtics. Throughout the series, he endured intense jeering from Boston fans due to his acrimonious departure and subsequent actions against the franchise.