Former Boston Celtics forward Marcus Morris said boos and “disrespect” from fans played a role in Kyrie Irving’s decision to leave the team in 2019.
Irving spent two seasons with the Celtics, both of which ended in playoff appearances. Despite the success, his relationship with Boston fans soured, leaving what many view as a blemish on his career.
Fan ‘Disrespect’ Led to Kyrie Irving’s Exit From Boston
Irving joined the Celtics in 2017 after being traded for fan favorite Isaiah Thomas. At the time, he publicly stated he intended to re-sign with Boston if the organization wanted him. But after the 2018-19 season, he departed for the Brooklyn Nets.
Morris, who was Irving’s teammate in Boston, said the guard’s decision shifted after fans turned on him. He made the comments while discussing Milwaukee Bucks fans booing their team during a recent home game.
“The last time I was on a team with a superstar and they booed him, he never got back right. [That was] with Kyrie in Boston,” Morris said. “That’s why he wanted to leave. Nobody realized why he wanted to leave. I don’t know game it was, and they were booing him. As soon as that happened, his whole energy changed. He just felt so disrespected.”
Marcus Morris on Giannis getting booed & why Kyrie really left Boston 😳🤯
“Last time I was on a team with a superstar & they booed him, he never got back right. With Kyrie in Boston, that’s why he wanted to leave… Soon as that happened, his whole energy changed. It was more so… pic.twitter.com/Uavjqh6Oeu
— Morris Code Show (@TheMorrisCode2) January 18, 2026
Many thought Irving would remain with the Celtics in free agency. After all, he said in 2018 that if the fans and the organization would have him, then he’d re-sign there. However, the 2018-19 season wasn’t the best for the Celtics.
They were still a playoff team, finishing the season 49-33, but the fans were not entirely happy with Irving.
Even after departing for the Nets, the animosity continued. Fans did not hold back in letting Irving know how they felt, and the guard sometimes responded in kind. During the 2022 postseason series between the Celtics and the Nets, the league fined Irving $50,000 for directing profanity at fans at TD Garden.
Later, as a member of the Dallas Mavericks, Irving reflected on his stint with the Celtics and his actions afterward. He told ESPN’s Tim MacMahon that he wasn’t his “best self” at the time. He also said his actions as a member of the Nets were not a reflection of who he was as a competitor and as a person.
