Kyrie Irving 'Wants To Move On' After Celtics Lose 4-1 To Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after a blowout 116-91 win in Game 4 over the Boston Celtics. It is their first conference finals since 2001 when they lost in seven games to Allen Iverson’s Philadelphia 76ers. But all eyes were on Kyrie Irving, could this be his last game for the Boston franchise?

The series began with a lot of promise when the Celtics beat the Bucks, who are the favorites to progress from the East, in the opening game. But it has been a one-sided contest since, with the Celtics struggling offensively and unable to contain Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has dominated games, especially Game 4 when he scored 39 points and 16 rebounds.

Irving was expected to step up and lead the Celtics in the playoffs but after an impressive 4-0 first round sweep of Indiana Pacers, the 2016 NBA championship winner was a no show in the four games against the Bucks. He managed a total of 104 shots in the five games but recorded just 102 points.

There are numerous questions hanging over Irving’s future with the Celtics with the player entering free agency later in July. During a season-ticket holder event prior to the start of the campaign, the point guard verbally committed to re-sign with the Boston franchise but has since backtracked from his comments and is now refusing to reveal his plans until July 1.

Many are predicting the Game 5 loss against the Bucks to be his last game for the Celtics and Irving did nothing to end the speculation when he stated after the game that all that is left now is “moving on to the next thing”. The point guard’s desire to lead a team of his own has not gone as expected, and it remains to be seen if he will give it more time in Boston or look to partner another superstar with a new team next season.

“The taste of defeat, the style of being down 1-4, I haven't felt, so for me, it's just moving on to the next thing, and just seeing where that ends up,” Irving said during his post-match press conference while also going on to heap praise on the Bucks team, which he is waiting to see play in the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Brooklyn Nets were installed as the new favorites to land Irving by the Las Vegas bookmakers but the New York Knicks are certain to be in the running as they look to pair the point guard with two-time NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant. The other option will be a reunion with LeBron James in Los Angeles.