Toronto Fans Honor Lowry with Standing Ovation

Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry received a standing ovation from Toronto fans during a brief appearance in the final moments of his team's 115-102 victory over the Raptors on Monday night at Scotiabank Arena, marking what could be his last game in the city where he built his legacy.

The 39-year-old Lowry, who spent nine seasons with the Raptors from 2012 to 2021 and helped them win the 2019 NBA championship, checked in for the last 1:57 of the blowout. A crowd of 18,127 had chanted "We want Lowry!" earlier in the fourth quarter, and the arena erupted when 76ers coach Nick Nurse substituted him for Tyrese Maxey. Lowry, a six-time All-Star in his 20th NBA season, missed all three of his shots, including an airballed 3-pointer, but left with the game ball as a keepsake. It was his first action since December 23 against Brooklyn.

The appearance capped a weekend of nostalgia for Lowry, a Philadelphia native whose basketball career is most closely tied to Toronto. The 76ers lost the series opener 116-115 in overtime on Sunday, when Lowry did not play. Before that game, he arrived at the arena wearing a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey belonging to hockey star Auston Matthews, a nod to...