Skip to content

Irving says Celtics need adversity to build character

Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The month of January has seen some marquee NBA teams struggle. The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a tailspin, the San Antonio Spurs are 4-6 in their last 10 games, and the Boston Celtics have lost three in a row.

Rather than panicking, Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving views this rough patch as a learning experience for the team.

"You gotta hit some adversity," Irving said after Sunday's loss to the Orlando Magic, via ESPN's Chris Forsberg. "We have to hit something. Like, we need it as a team. There's a lot more adversity down the road, and we've got to be able to weather the storm no matter what."

Irving was responding to Celtics center Al Horford's declaration of urgency, which he also made after the Orlando loss.

"In my eyes, I feel like we're fighting for our lives right now," Horford said. "That has to be our mindset going into Tuesday's game."

This is the first three-game losing streak of the season for the Celtics, who now leave New England to begin a four-game west coast road swing. It starts with a back-to-back against the Los Angeles teams Tuesday and Wednesday, before a possible Finals preview versus the Golden State Warriors Saturday. And with the road trip ending in the mile-high altitude of Denver, it won't be an easy stretch for Boston.

But Irving is ready for the challenge.

"You gotta have stuff like this where you gotta figure it out," he said.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox