Why NBA star Kyrie Irving was burning sage before a game with the Celtics NBA star Kyrie Irving, who has Native American roots, burned sage during a warmup in a practice known as smudging. Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving burns sage around the court before a preseason NBA game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden Arena, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Boston. Video screengrab December 21, 2020 (RNS) — Before a recent preseason NBA game with the Boston Celtics, All-Star Kyrie Irving of the Brooklyn Nets took to the floor for his pre-game warmups. Irving did some stretching, shot some layups and hit a few three-pointers. He also burned sage in a Native American practice known as smudging.