Kyrie Irving Reacts to Brooklyn Nets 43 Point Defeat to Boston Celtics

• Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving has said his team need to stand up to the Boston Celtics after they suffered an embarrassing 139-96 defeat.
• This was the Nets' 10th straight defeat to the Celtics
• Jacque Vaughn's side trailed by as many as 49 points en route to their sixth-largest defeat in franchise history
• The visitors were without Kevin Durant, Ben Simmons and T.J Warren

2022 NBA Finalists Boston Celtics thumped the Brooklyn Nets to hand them their 7th defeat since Kevin Durant went down with a sprained MCL on January 9th 2023.

The Nets, however, were missing some of their key players at TD Garden. Aside from Durant, Jacque Vaughn's side were without T.J. Warren, and Ben Simmons. The hosts took advantage and thrashed them 139-96.

Nets guard Kyrie Irving urged his team to stand up to a motivated Celtics team.

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The Nets trailed by 30 points in the first quarter, and it only grew during the course of the game. The hosts never trailed and led by as many as 49 points as they cemented their status as the best team in the NBA this season.

Kyrie Irving led the Nets players in scoring, with 20 points. The other Nets players in double digits were Joe Harris and Cam Thomas. The defeat was the Nets' sixth largest in franchise history.

They have now lost 10 straight games against the Celtics. Jayson Tatum scored 31 points while Jaylen Brown added 26 for the reigning Eastern Conference champions to help them improve to 37-15, per ESPN.

Irving reacts to Celtics defeat

The Celtics emphatically knocked the Nets out of the playoffs last season, winning 4-0 in the first round on their way to the 2022 NBA Finals.

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Irving said the Celtics have their eyes firmly fixed on the NBA Championship and called on his team to stand up to them, per SI.

"When you're going up against a very motivated team such as the Boston Celtics, they have a chip on their shoulder. It's clear as day they want to win the championship, and they're not wasting any time in the regular season. We're just one of those teams in the way, and we just can't be one of those teams in the way. We've got to be one of those teams that stands up to them."

The Nets play at home in their next five games and will be looking to solidify a spot in the top four in the Western Conference.

Nets fans reactions

Nets fans were angry as expected. Some pointed a finger at General Manager Sean Marks for failing to improve the roster even as the trade deadline looms.

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@ItalianChungus:

"This is why the Knicks run New York."

@FreshStart512:

"Awful night. We're a good team but this proves something vital is still missing. And it's not just KD."

@TravisG43211:

"It’s like it all ended tonight, forfeit the rest of the season."

@kdtrey777:

"Sean Marks, you have a week. Since you've ruined the future of this franchise, do something in the present. Even if you make some decent trade, don't stay here."

@TravisG43211:

"It’s the roster, it’s too small, not strong enough. Nets are going have a problem against a lot of teams in this league. Guys don’t defend or rebound, and they run hot and cold on offense. This is why we can lose to a Detroit or the Spurs at anytime. A Sean Marks built roster."

Irving lauds James

Sports Brief earlier reported on Irving heaping praise on Lakers veteran and former Cleveland Cavaliers teammate LeBron James, who is about to make history.

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The 38-year-old is set to become NBA's all-time leading scorer, passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who has been on top of the list for nearly four decades.

Irving said every fan should celebrate James, who has dominated and led the league for the last 20 years.