Kyrie changes tune, praises Bucks' throwback court

Kyrie Irving had expressed some safety concerns over the retro Milwaukee Bucks court he played on Thursday night, but after dropping a season-high 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting in a 96-89 win, the Boston Celtics point guard was singing a different tune.

"I know I had some thoughts about the floor before the game that I guess was turned into a big deal," Irving told reporters after the game, according to ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "So it was good to see their new home floor - is that their new home floor? The Mecca."

Much as he'd mistakenly thought before the game that the court was the actual Mecca original - rather than a newly painted reproduction - Irving didn't realize the throwback court at the Bucks' former 12,500-seat arena was a one-time deal. Learning that it was made him all the more appreciative of the experience.

"I'm glad I was part of that historic event," Irving said. "It was great to see the intimacy of those seats out there as well as the fans kinda being right on top of us. I enjoy environments like that. Prior to shootaround, I had my thoughts, but, after I did my own assessment, it was definitely a great thing to be out there on that floor."