Three Takeaways: Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks

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ATLANTA, GA – JANUARY 19: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks on January 19, 2019 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Kyrie as a world-beater

The Boston Celtics grabbed their third straight win, and Kyrie Irving notched his third straight stellar performance. The East’s leader in All-Star votes among guards dropped 32 points last night, dropping 5 dimes and sinking 5 threes along the way.

Without his takeover points in the early quarters of the game (23 in the first half), Boston likely isn’t able to be in the position to take over and win in the fourth. While Irving is the leader of this team, and he should be expected to perform like this on a nightly basis, what does it say about the Celtics right now that it’s necessary?

Watching Kyrie duel with Kawhi was incredible. His game against the Grizzlies was a delight for all eyes to see. But when he needs to drop 32 for the Celtics to barely beat the Hawks, that’s when there might be problems with the team as a whole. Is his one-man-show sustainable?

It should be noted that Irving played 38, 36 and 37 minutes in the Celtics’ past three games, and in an ideal world, that shouldn’t happen during a stretch of three games in four nights. It’s understandable against the Raptors, but Boston is stretching their superstar thin requiring his talents for 35+ minutes against teams like the Hawks.

Kyrie turns 27 in March, so it isn’t as much of a concern as it would be with an older superstar, but the Celtics still want Uncle Drew as fresh as possible heading into the playoffs. Nights like these don’t make that happen.

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