The NBA is all about the holiday drama. So it’s no surprise the league schedule-makers jumped at the chance to send the Nets to Boston on Dec. 25.
Kyrie Irving, who had an ugly divorce from the Celtics, should make his regular-season return to TD Garden on Christmas Day at 5 p.m., according to ESPN, which will air the game. Oh, we see you, NBA.
There again will be no Knicksmas with the Pelicans at Heat at noon, Warriors at Bucks at 2:30, Mavericks at Lakers at 8, and Clippers at Nuggets at 10:30. Despite holding NBA records for Christmas dates (53) and Christmas defeats (31), the Knicks have now been home for the holiday on consecutive seasons.
Meanwhile, the Dec. 25 drama will come from the Nets.
Irving spent two seasons with the Celtics, but amid questions over his leadership, bolted Boston for Brooklyn during the summer of 2019.
Salty Celtics fans haven’t forgiven him since.
Getty Images (2)Irving missed both Nets games in Boston last season, a Nov. 27 loss and a March 3 win. During that game — with Irving sidelined by a shoulder injury — fans plastered pictures of the All-Star guard on the streets around TD Garden, some as “missing” and others as the “cowardly lion” from “The Wizard of Oz.”
The Nets will travel to Boston for a Dec. 18 preseason tilt, though it’s unclear if there will be fans present or how much Irving will play in the preseason. His return to TD Garden could well be in front of a national audience on Christmas Day.
The NBA season is scheduled to start Dec. 22, though the league has yet to release a schedule.
