Nets fans chanting ‘Kyrie’s leaving’ at the Celtics was their biggest win of the night

Matchups between New York and Boston teams always get a little testy, and that was the case when the Nets and Celtics played a game in Brooklyn on Monday night. The Nets led by as many as 27 in their 109-102 victory.

The biggest W, though, came from the fans, who began chanting “Kyrie’s leaving” while Boston forward Daniel Theis was at the foul line in the fourth quarter.

Some Nets players also noticed the chants from the court, including veteran forward Jared Dudley.

It should be noted, though, that Irving told Celtics fans in October he would re-sign in Boston “if you guys will have me back.” Much reporting and subsequent comments backed up Irving’s declaration. He said he absolutely believed in the franchise and wanted to be a part of its legacy.

“Honestly, it just was like, ‘Man, I do not want to move again.’ I do not want to uproot my family and just be dealing with anything new again,” he said, according to ESPN. “No disrespect to other organizations, but here is perfect for me.”

That was before Boston got off to a 25-18 start, a middling record for a team expected to win the East. It was also before their all-star point guard spoke out about the team’s struggles.

Irving recently grew frustrated with Boston’s lack of consistency. After the Celtics won four games in a row, they lost two games on the road to the Heat and Magic. Irving was visibly upset after the Orlando loss, when Boston fumbled a late-game opportunity to tie or win the game. He put the blame on the team’s younger players, who he says don’t know what it takes to be champions.

Irving later walked those comments back a bit in Boston’s following team practice, saying that fire came from a burning desire to win. He did not play against Brooklyn on Monday night.

“When you win, you want to taste it again. I never want to come from a place where I don’t want to sound like or maybe feel like I don’t want to win a championship,” he said, via NESN. “Sometimes I may come off and say things, never to question my teammates in public like that ever again, but I just want to win so bad.”

Has this season changed Irving’s mind about staying, or Boston’s mind about wanting to keep him? We’ll see, but it’s fair to ask the question.

Irving’s looming decision will be the talk of multiple towns until he finally signs a contract. He can sign for five years and about $190 million in Boston — or even more if he makes the all-NBA team. The most he can sign for elsewhere is four years, $140.6 million.

The Clippers, Lakers, Knicks, Nets, Kings, 76ers, Suns, Bulls, Hawks, and Mavericks will have enough space to make a run at any max player next summer.