For a minute -- well, really for a half -- it looked like the Boston Celtics might pull off their second consecutive upset of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But then Kyrie Irving happened.
Irving banked a career-postseason-high 42 points on Tuesday night, leading the way for the Cavs to rally from an early 16-point deficit to defeat the Celtics 112-99 in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals. Thirty-nine of Irving's points were scored in the first three quarters.
Needless to say, people noticed his incredible performance.
My man @KyrieIrving is showing a ton of guts right now getting up from that ankle turn. #NBAPlayoffs2017
— Mike Miller (@MikeMiller_13) May 24, 2017
Kyrie, the modern day @rod_strickland !
— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) May 24, 2017
Kyrie Irving went stupid❗️🐐
— Lamar Jackson (@Lj_era8) May 24, 2017
Kyrie 😰😰
— Tavon Austin (@Tayaustin01) May 24, 2017
Kyrie Box Office 👀🔥
— Anthony Morrow (@MrAnthonyMorrow) May 24, 2017
Good Lord. Kyrie hit the red button and went nuclear in the 3rd quarter.
— Jay Richardson (@JayRichardson99) May 24, 2017
You gotta chill out @KyrieIrving
— Jared Sullinger (@Jared_Sully0) May 24, 2017
Kyrie in God Mode right now. Sit this one out Bronny
— Darron Lee (@DLeeMG8) May 24, 2017
Even though Irving undoubtedly stole the show, LeBron James managed to turn his abysmal Game 3 performance around. He contributed 34 points Tuesday, despite his racking up four fouls in the first half. James' teams are 11-0 in series after leading 3-1. The sports community will have to wait until Thursday to see if the Cavs can close out the series in Game 5 back in Boston to advance to their third straight Finals.
--Meaghan Latella
