Kyle Lowry, 76ers
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Kyle Lowry received a standing ovation when he returned to Toronto as the 76ers defeated the Raptors.
On January 12th, the Philadelphia 76ers traveled to Canada to take on the Toronto Raptors. Philadelphia came out with the 115-102 win, but the big story was Kyle Lowry making an appearance during the end of the game.
When Lowry stepped on the court, he received a standing ovation from everyone inside Scotiabank Arena and he loved every second of it. In his return to Toronto, Lowry was not sure if he would get to play, but his teammates made it possible for that to happen.
“I think that was part of their plan, to make sure I got in there… I got an opportunity to experience one of the greatest basketball moments of my personal career,” Lowry said after the game.
Lowry won a championship with the Raptors and that may have been the last time he played there. Surely a moment he will always remember.
Kyle Lowry Receiving Love in Toronto
Lowry last played for Toronto during the 2020-21 season, but the fans still love him. With about 1:57 left to play in the game, there were chants of “We want Lowry” echoing throughout the arena. The fans wanted Lowry and that’s what they got.
As Lowry entered the game, he was welcomed with a round of applause and a standing ovation. Though he only played two minutes, it was one of the highlights of the entire game. Tyrese Maxey was excited to see his teammate get into the game.
“He deserved every bit of it…I told him I’m about to start crying,” Maxey said. After the game, a reporter asked Lowry what it would mean to him to have his jersey retired by the Raptors. “Y’all ever see me cry? If it does and when it does, it will be a very super emotional day. I put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to that ‘7’ and to know the fact that it will never be worn again, will be pretty special. I think something like that for my basketball legacy is pretty darn cool,” Lowry said.
Kyle Lowry, a Raptors Great
Lowry spent nine seasons with the Raptors and had a memorable career there. He was a six-time All-Star there and helped play a significant part in the team’s 2019 NBA title. As a member of the Raptors, he averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds.
Lowry was one of the top guards in the Eastern Conference during his time in Toronto and helped change the culture there. Him bringing a title to the organization helped solidify his legacy in Toronto and when he retires, he will go down as one of the greatest to suit up for the Raptors.
His jersey deserves to be retired by the organization, and he left it all on the court when he played there. Lowry has been around the game for a long time and has played for numerous teams. He spent the majority of his career with the Raptors and made a positive impact during his time there. Lowry has had a successful career and is a player that is well-respected across the league.