For all the high-level drama and intrigue Boston’s Game 1 win over Brooklyn on Sunday brought us, none of that matters now.

That has all taken a backseat to the continued standoff between former Celtic Kyrie Irving and the Boston fanbase, which has shown no mercy in its verbal assault on Irving each time he has returned to the TD Garden.

But the way Irving has clapped back—giving Celtics fans the middle finger repeatedly, responding with a misogynist rebuttal after being told “you suck!” by fans—has been met with predictable fan and media criticism, in addition to the NBA’s disciplinary committee, which on Tuesday levied a $50,000 fine for his behavior.

It would be understandable to empathize with Irving’s defense. “I don’t want to attack every fan—every Boston fan—but when people start yelling, ‘p—y, b—h and f–k you’ and all this stuff, there’s (only) so much you can take as a competitor,” Irving told reporters after the loss. “We’re the ones expected to be docile and be humble and take a humble approach. Nah, f–k that, it’s the playoffs. This is what it is. I know what to expect here and it’s the same energy I’m giving back to them.”

Will the fine be a deterrent and make Irving think twice before engaging fans who heckle him?

Of course not.

So what should give him reason to pause next time? He may find out in tonight’s Game 2 first-round playoff game against Boston’s new sixth man, the fans, who clearly own some of Irving’s focus.

The entire situation has opened up a Pandora’s Box of questions and concerns that the NBA would rather avoid. At the heart of the issue: When should players be forgiven for responding to heckling fans, especially those of Irving’s stature, a seven-time All-Star revered by millions?

For Irving to be at the epicenter of controversy should come as no surprise. Yet still, there seems to be a baffling void of self-awareness of his own reputation, whose brand centers around peace, love and faith.