Kyrie hopes there's no 'subtle racism' in return to Boston

The Brooklyn Nets' first-round playoff series against the Boston Celtics shifts to TD Garden on Friday, and Kyrie Irving hopes the crowd's focus will be on the game.

"Hopefully, we can just keep it strictly basketball, there's no belligerence or any racism going on," Irving told reporters after the Nets' Game 2 win. "Subtle racism and people yelling shit from the crowd. But even if it is, that's part of the nature of the game, and we're just gonna focus on what we can control."

Irving spent two seasons in Boston prior to joining the Nets. The seven-time All-Star added that he and his peers received racial abuse during previous encounters in the venue.

The Celtics reportedly banned a fan for two seasons after they directed a racial slur at then-Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins during a 2019 matchup.

"I'm not the only one that can attest to this, but ... it is what it is. The whole world knows it," Irving said.