In addition to being a full-time basketball player again, Kyrie Irving is also a full-time Milwaukee Bucks hater.
Irving and the Brooklyn Nets lost a tough game in overtime to the Bucks on Thursday. After the game, Irving had some shade for the Bucks, calling them out for what he felt was an overly physical style of play.
“They were playing pretty physical,” Irving said of the Bucks, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. “I think they were a little reckless at times. Just on a lot of their fouls. Or a few of their fouls.
“That’s who they are,” the star guard added. “But I think it was just reckless at times.”
Irving, who shot 9-for-22 with just three free throw attempts, got roughed up by the Bucks several times in the game. He also struggled to get his shot off down the stretch with the tight defense Jrue Holiday was playing on him.
Kyrie and Giannis collide on the fastbreak 😳 https://t.co/zpNvvgrRCg
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 1, 2022
Jrue Holiday man. Sheesh. pic.twitter.com/iD14Yy9CIS
— Rit Holtzman (@BenRitholtzNBA) April 1, 2022
This grudge Irving holds against the Bucks dates back to at least last year’s playoffs though. Irving sprained his ankle in Game 4 of Brooklyn’s second-round matchup against the eventual champion Bucks and clearly still feels pretty salty about it too.
Photo: Feb 1, 2020; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving (11) during the second half against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
