Kyrie Irving explains burning sage before Celtics-Nets

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Kyrie Irving explains burning sage before Celtics-Nets game

Kyrie Irving finally made his return to TD Garden on Friday night, and the most highlight-worthy moment actually came before the Boston Celtics-Brooklyn Nets preseason matchup.

Irving was seen pregame burning sage while walking around the court, and the video of his unique ritual caused quite a stir on social media. The former C’s guard explained the move after the game.

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“Honestly I did it before the first preseason game in Barclays, so every game definitely cleansing the energy in here, make sure we feel good as a team,” Irving said. “Don’t want to disrespect any other team. Some people think I was doing some ritual stuff before the game, but no, that’s just sage from my native culture. Just making sure we cleanse the energy in here and we play well. And I want everybody to stay safe, not just my teammates.”

After the game, Irving added that he “plans to sage almost every game if the opposing team will allow me to [sage].”

Irving has spoken before about his Native American roots at the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota.

Apparently, the routine works. The Nets dominated the Celtics 113-89 and Irving finished with 17 points in his return to Boston.