Following the Nets' 141-126 victory in Game 4 of the first round, Kyrie Irving was nearly struck in the head by a water bottle thrown from the spectators. Broadcast footage shows the projectile flying dangerously close to Irving as he exited toward the tunnel.
Just a week before the game, Irving had voiced his anxiety about returning to Boston as an opponent, mentioning that he hoped any heckling would remain strictly about basketball performance.
Marcus Smart, who previously played for the Celtics, seemed to confirm that these fears were grounded in reality, recalling his own experiences with racist comments from the local fans.
The individual responsible for throwing the bottle was promptly arrested by the Boston Police. He was seen being led out of the venue in handcuffs by security and has been slapped with a permanent ban from TD Garden.
Nets star Kevin Durant reacted to the incident by urging fans to grow up and focus on enjoying the game, according to Nets Daily's Matt Brooks. Meanwhile, Irving spoke out about the event, expressing his frustration with the underlying racism involved.
Following the event, Irving expressed frustration at the “underlying racism” of the event.
According to Malika Andrews of ESPN, Irving remarked that certain 'old ways' are resurfacing, noting that there is a clear line where hurling objects and using slurs becomes completely unacceptable.
Boston's defense simply couldn't keep up with the offensive powerhouse of Durant and Irving, who combined for 81 points, including a dominant 9-for-15 performance from beyond the arc. Additionally, James Harden contributed significantly with 23 points and 18 assists.
This win puts Brooklyn ahead 3-1 in the series, bringing them closer to securing a home-court advantage for the second round. If they win on Tuesday night in Brooklyn, they will advance to the conference semifinals for the first time since 2014.