76ers head coach Nick Nurse had no choice but to call over 20-year veteran Kyle Lowry with 1:57 remaining in Monday’s game against the Raptors.
An overwhelming echo of, “We want Lowry!” rang through Scotiabank Arena, and the fan favorite was welcomed to a standing ovation as he took off his warm-ups and subbed into the game.
Lowry, 39, spent nine seasons in Toronto and was a member of the 2019 NBA title squad that featured Kawhi Leonard, Fred VanVleet, Pascal Siakam and current Knicks forward OG Anunoby. His impact on the Toronto community and Raptors basketball culture was evident on Monday.
He is expected to retire after the season.
“I got an opportunity to experience probably one of the greatest basketball moments of my personal career,” Lowry told reporters after the game.
“Our team came out with an extreme focus, and I think that was part of their plan, to make sure I got an opportunity to get in there. “I’ve got some great teammates and a great coach who understands the moment, who I have a championship with, but it was a good team win for us.”
Lowry averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 601 career appearances for Toronto. The Villanova product leads the franchise in assists (4,277), steals (873), 3-pointers made (1,518) and triple-doubles (18).
While he’s not filling the stat sheet per usual and playing just 7.5 minutes per game, Lowry is instead providing vital mentorship to younger guards on the Sixers roster.
In his heyday, the point guard was a pest on defense and had a nose for physicality, attributes that are rubbing off on perennial All-Star Tyrese Maxey and rookie standout VJ Edgecombe.
Things are beginning to gel for the Sixers, as a healthy Joel Embiid and Paul George in the mix have them as the fifth seed in the East with a 22-16 record.
