Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports and a huge Celtics fan, took a playful jab at Kyrie Irving during Game 2 of the NBA Finals series between the Celtics and the Mavericks. Portnoy was seen sitting courtside at TD Garden wearing a T-shirt with Irving’s face, complete with a clown nose. The shirt caught the attention of fans and was even featured on the Jumbotron during the game.
In addition to sporting the T-shirt, Portnoy was photographed standing and cheering after Boston’s victory in Game 2. He was accompanied by a mystery blonde and later announced that Barstool Sports would be selling the “KI Clown Tee” for $32.
This isn’t the first time Portnoy has made headlines for trolling Irving. Previously, he and Camryn D’Aloia were prominently featured on the live broadcast during Game 4 of the Celtics-Heat playoff series. The Celtics themselves also got in on the fun by displaying a quote from Irving on the Jumbotron after their victory in Game 1, referencing his expectations for the crowd at TD Garden.
Irving’s return to Boston for the NBA Finals has been met with mixed reactions from Celtics fans. Despite playing for the team for two seasons, Irving left without delivering a championship as he had promised. His departure to the Nets left many feeling betrayed, and his subsequent actions, such as burning sage on the court and stomping on the Celtics’ logo, have only fueled the animosity.
As the NBA Finals series continues with Game 3 in Dallas, the rivalry between Irving and the Celtics shows no signs of cooling down. Fans can expect more drama and excitement as the two teams battle it out on the court. Stay tuned for updates on this intense matchup.
