The Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving said he was responding to the words he heard from the crowd when he gave his middle finger to several Boston Celtics fans twice during the 115-114 defeat in the first game of the series on Sunday.

After the game, Irving clarified that he had “the same energy for them” that they had for him.

“Look, where I come from, I’m used to all this ridiculousness and being around people,” Irving said after scoring 39 points in 42 minutes. “It’s not something new when I come to this building – but it’s the same energy they have for me, I’ll have the same energy for them. »

“And he’s not every fan, I do not want to attack every fan, every Boston fan. When people start shouting “p — y” or “b —-” and “f — you” and all that stuff, there is so much you can manage as a competitor. We are asked to be submissive, humble, to follow a humble approach, and hell, it’s the playoffs. »

Irving, who played in Boston for two seasons from 2017-19, said he has been accustomed to being booked by Celtics fans since leaving the organization after the 2018-19 season.

The week before that game, Irving also said that sometimes there was “subtle racism” from the crowd, acknowledging that he had occasionally heard racist comments at TD Garden.

“I know what to expect here,” Irving said after Sunday’s game. I’m not really focused on that, it’s fun, do you understand what I mean? Where I come from I’ve been involved with a lot, so coming here you enjoy it as a competitor … This is not my first time at TD Garden, so what you saw, what you think is entertainment or what fans think is entertainment, everything is fair to competition.

Irving, who is strongly criticized during the day, was offended when a reporter asked about the “hostility” of the Boston audience – noting that this is not the first time he has given a fan his middle finger during a game.

“This is the first time you see him, because it’s an important game,” Irving said. I react in different ways. I’m not trying to focus on that. If you want to ask me about the fans, go ask them. Go to the street and ask them questions. »

Irving’s teammates and coaches were confident that Irving would play his best in such an environment.