Since being traded to the Miami Heat last summer, Kyle Lowry played his first game in Toronto, finishing the Heats 114-109 win over the Raptors with 16 points, 10 assists, and six rebounds.
Familiar face in attendance pic.twitter.com/FMquIbOMOE
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) April 3, 2022
“It’s a place I called home for a long time,” Lowry said told NBA.com, “I won a lot of basketball games here, set a lot of records here. I’ve got a banner hanging up in there. It’s just a special place.”
Lowry last played in Toronto when the then-defending champs lost to the Hornets on Feb. 28, 2020. Lowry could not play in Miami’s three prior contests against Toronto after missing nearly a month, Jan. 15-Feb. 3, of action because of personal reasons.
On Sunday, before the Heat and Raptors tipped off, Lowry, with his two young sons by his side, was given a standing ovation after the Raptors aired a video tribute to one of the most, if not the most important Raptor of all time. The Raptors fans and organization weren’t the only people to give Lowry his flowers either. The Mayor of Toronto, John Tory, officially proclaimed Sunday “Kyle Lowry Day” and praised Lowry for his on-court exploits and charitable work away from the hardwood.
“I know if I cry, DeMar’s going to make fun of me, and it’s going to go viral and all that stuff,” Lowry said, referring to teammate and close friend DeMar DeRozan. “I’m looking forward to just being in the moment.
Lowry spent nine seasons with the Raptors, leaving as the franchise leader in assists (4,227), steals (873), made three-pointers (1,518), and triple-doubles (16). Lowry was a crucial piece of the Raptors’ 2019 championship as well.
