Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving savor their first taste of playoffs in Boston

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2019/04/boston-celtics-playoffs-2019-gordon-hayward-kyrie-irving-savor-their-first-taste-of-playoffs-in-boston.html



Gordon Hayward, Kyrie Irving savor their first taste of playoffs in Boston



Updated Apr 14, 6:24 PM; Posted Apr 14, 6:23 PM




Boston Celtics players, from left, Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, and Terry Rozier watch from the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game San Antonio Spurs in Boston, Sunday, March 24, 2019 (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)




By John Karalis | JKaralis@masslive.com



BOSTON -- “What an atmosphere, man”

Gordon Hayward finally got to see and feel it for himself.

“Ky said he was nervous, excited,” Jayson Tatum said of Irving, giving us a glimpse into what this game meant for him.

Both Irving and Hayward have waited a long time for this moment. Too long. But that’s the problem with the playoffs. They’re like getting a rainy night when Halley’s Comet comes around. You’ve got no choice but to wait until the next time.


The time has come for Hayward, Irving, and the Boston Celtics. The regular season is now in the past, and the Celtics fought their way to a gritty Game 1 win over the Indiana Pacers. It’s especially satisfying for Hayward, whose journey to the moment was painfully arduous.

“Felt great, especially because we got the win,” he said. "It was fun out there, to be out there with my teammates is a very good feeling.




Irving is more business like. He already has a ring. He’s already been on deep runs. For him, this is all about getting back to the promised land, and it starts with winning these game at home, like the Celtics should.

“You know you have a lot of pressure to go out there and perform in front of your home fans. And I think that it’s always a level up that you expect yourself to go to, especially the first game at home, and you want to play well.”

This is one step in a long journey for these players and this team. When the Celtics hit the practice court again, this game will be nothing but data for use in Game 2 adjustments.

Luckily for Hayward, this was an early afternoon game. He’s going to have a nice, long evening to soak in this moment.

“Haven’t been in a playoff game in a while, and also it was an early game, so your routine changes a little bit,” he said. “But couldn’t have been happier to be out there on the court with my teammates, wearing the Celtics colors and playing in front of the fans. It was a lot of fun.”



bob




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Believe it or not, this is what it should be...fun!

db