Kyrie defends flipping off Cs fans: 'There's only so much you can take'

Warning: Story contains coarse language

After failing to receive the warmer reception he was looking for earlier this week from Celtics fans, Kyrie Irving shot back at the Boston crowd Sunday.

The Nets guard was caught flipping off the Celtics faithful on multiple occasions during Brooklyn's Game 1 loss. That included a moment where he stuck up double middle fingers behind his head with his back turned to the crowd.

Warning: Video contains graphic content

However, Irving felt his actions were justified.

"When people start yelling p---- and b---- and f--- you and all this stuff, there's only so much you can take as a competitor," Irving said, per The Washington Post's Ben Golliver. "We're the ones expected to be docile and be humble. … Nah, f--- that, that's the playoffs."

As long as Boston fans continue to greet Irving with a negative reaction, the star floor general is seemingly prepared to reciprocate it.

"It's the energy they have for me. I'm going to have the same energy for them," Irving said, per the New York Daily News' Stefan Bondy.

He added: "It's the dark side. Embrace it."

Irving's middle fingers Sunday were just the latest incidents between himself and Celtics fans since he left the organization in 2019. He's previously drawn the ire of the Boston faithful by stomping on the team's center court logo last postseason and comparing the fan base to a "scorned girlfriend" last month.

But despite the animosity between the two sides, Irving dazzled in Game 1. He scored a game-high 39 points to go along with six assists, five rebounds, and four steals, and he helped the Nets come back from a 15-point second-half deficit. However, Jayson Tatum won the contest for the Celtics with a buzzer-beating layup.

Irving will be in front of Boston fans once again Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET for Game 2.