Kyrie Irving serenaded with boos by Celtics fans before Game 3 (Video)

The contentious relationship between Kyrie Irving and Boston Celtics fans didn’t get any better on Friday as fans rained down  boos on the Brooklyn Nets guard.

There was no question Kyrie Irving’s reception at TD Garden for Game 3 between the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets would be less-than-friendly.

Boston fans and the former Celtic haven’t exactly gotten along since his difficult two seasons with the team, and things got even work after his comments earlier this week.

So it was no surprise when Irving was greeted with a chorus of boos on Friday.

After Game 2, Irving created a stir in the basketball world when he made comments about racism in Boston.

“Hopefully, we can keep it basketball, no belligerence, subtle racism, people yelling s**t from the crowd,” Irving said on Tuesday. “I’m not the only one who can attest to this…The whole world knows it.”

While Danny Ainge denied ever hearing questionable comments, Marcus Smart agreed with Irving that he had heard Celtics fans direct racist comments at players.

It’s not even a question. No one should racially abuse a player, no matter how much they may dislike him or the team he plays for.

Kyrie Irving and Celtics fans

Regardless of the conversation around racism, Irving was bound to face anger when he returned to Boston. His departure from the team was controversial. After telling season-ticket holders he planned to re-sign, he turned around and signed with the Nets. He’s been accused of quitting on the Celtics.

Everyone has to hope boos and boos alone were the plan to confront Irving for Celtics fans at Game 3.

It’s possible the negativity got to Irving in the first half. He had just 2 points on 1-of-5 shooting in the opening two quarters against his former team. He opened the series strongly with 29 points and 6 rebounds in the Nets’ Game 1 victory. He followed that up with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists in Game 2.