Former Raptors Legend Receives Standing Ovation & Stitches in 76ers Debut
Kyle Lowry is officially back home.
The former Toronto Raptors legend made his debut with the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night, receiving a standing ovation as he checked into the game for the first time.
“Making his ‘6ers debut, from North Philly, No. 7, Kyle Lowry,” the public announce addresser said as Lowry checked in at the 7-minute mark of the first quarter.
Lowry wasted no time, scoring his first points as a 76ers less than a minute after checking in. He beat Jalen Brunson off the dribble and finished a contested up-and-under reverse layup around former Raptors forward Precious Achiuwa.
Lowry’s night was briefly interrupted when he took an elbow to the face from Jericho Sims that forced the 37-year-old to receive six stitches. He left the game to receive medical attention but returned in the third as if he hadn’t missed a beat.
“He’s as tough as they come,” said 76ers coach Nick Nurse who previously coached Lowry in Toronto. “Like I said, nobody plays harder, nobody wants to compete more. All those kinds of things.”
Lowry finished the night with 11 points in 25 minutes and, in typical Lowry fashion, he was the only 76ers player to have a positive plus-minutes despite Philadelphia’s 14-point loss.
“The ovation I got was awesome,” Lowry told reporters post-game “I was pissed that we lost. It was a great moment. Now for me, it’s about winning basketball games. I’m glad to be here in Philly.”
Toronto had discussions with the 76ers about a trade involving Lowry during the 2020-21 season but opted instead to keep the Raptors legend through the remainder of the year. He was eventually traded in a sign-and-trade to the Miami Heat for Achiuwa and Goran Dragic.
Lowry will return to Toronto one more time this season on March 31 when the Raptors host the 76ers on a Sunday evening.
