Kyrie Irving receives frosty reception in Boston as Celtics fans mock him with X-rated chants- and even a blow up doll - amid bitter rivalry

Kyrie Irving received a hostile welcome from Celtics fans as the Mavericks headed to Boston for Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday.

Irving, who played for the Celtics from 2017-2019, has maintained a bitter relationship with the team's fanbase since his turbulent departure to Brooklyn concluded a disappointing run with the C's.

The not-so-friendly receptions continued as Irving, now a Maverick, returned to Beantown to open the season finale in his old stomping grounds.

Before Thursday's game, fans outside TD Garden chanted 'F**k Kyrie' while holding up a blowup doll with the point guard's face stuck to its head.

The fans then huddled up to toss the inflatable figure around and appeared to beat it on the ground.

The hostility did not stay outside the arena as fans chanted 'Kyrie sucks' repeatedly once the game began.

Irving's time in Boston came on the heels of his tenure with the Cleveland Cavaliers, where he won a championship in 2016. 

However, much of the buildup led to disappointment, and Irving would join Kevin Durant and James Harden in the failed Brooklyn Nets experiment from 2019-2023.

None of Irving's visits to Massachusetts have been pleasant since. The former Duke star memorably flipped fans off behind his head. In another incident, a fan got thrown out of the arena for allegedly chucking a water bottle at Irving.

While his relationship with Bostonians appears broken beyond repair, Irving claims to have maintained a good relationship with Celtics stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Irving, Luka Doncic, and the Mavs routed the Clippers, Thunder, and Timberwolves to make a Finals appearance.

On the other hand, Boston went 12-1 in the Playoffs to beat the Heat, Cavaliers, and Pacers - making them the favorites to win the title.