Celtics make sure TD Garden is as loud as Kyrie Irving hoped with special jumbotron message before NBA Finals game

The Boston Celtics took notice of Dallas Mavericks star Kyrie Irving’s taunt after Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

Before Game 2 began on Sunday, the Celtics showed the eight-time All-Star’s comments about the reception he received at TD Garden a few days earlier.

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Irving, 32, was booed mercilessly during Dallas’ 107-89 loss on Thursday night because of his difficult past with the C’s.

But after the game, the 6-foot-2 point guard said he expected more hostility from the crowd.

“I thought it would be a little louder here,” the Mavericks star said.

The Celtics put the exact same line on the jumbotron just before the Mavericks came out of the tunnel for Game 2 to ensure Irving got the reception he wanted.

Deafening boos quickly followed, along with chants of “Kyrie sucks.”

After Dallas fell behind 1-0, Irving said he got used to being booed at TD Garden.

Asked about his relationship with Boston again a few days later, the Mavericks star acknowledged that he has come to terms with the fact that his time with the C’s from 2017-2019 was a fiasco.

“I failed miserably, even though I also didn’t know how to compartmentalize or accept the emotions that come with failure, and also because I was on the side of success, I also didn’t know how to deal with it,” he said.

Irving added: “I don’t expect to be celebrated by everyone.

“I’ll, you know, still be aware that a lot of people want to see me fail.

“But then again, I think I pay more attention to how I’m celebrated by people who love me unconditionally and I go home and have peace of mind.

“Thinking back to my time in Boston, I could relate any number of things that none of you here know I’m dealing with, and I don’t think many people would care.

“I think some people would care and want to hear about it, and I would leave that space open in the future if you want to hear about it.”

Irving’s relationship soured further when he provocatively stepped on the Celtics’ midcourt logo while visiting TD Garden with his Brooklyn Nets during the 2021 NBA Playoffs.

But the NBA star said that off the court he still receives acts of kindness from the C faithful as he walks the streets of Boston.

“I get a lot of hugs. I take pictures,” Irving said.

“My dad is here, he played at Boston University.

“So there has to be respect because if something happens to my family while I’m here, it goes way beyond the game, you know.”

The Mavs star added: “I was able to accept what I can’t change, but also change the way I look at things to be more positive.”

Irving finished Game 1 with 12 points, three rebounds and two assists