As if things weren’t already difficult enough for the Toronto Raptors, they may have just lost their best player in their second-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
As Kyle Lowry converged on the paint for a rebound on Cleveland’s first offensive possession of the second half, Norman Powell appeared to land on Lowry’s left leg. Lowry hit the ground and looked to be in considerable pain, holding his ankle, then limped off to the locker room.
Kyle Lowry goes down with an apparent injury pic.twitter.com/XHouGzDlcA
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) May 4, 2017
Lowry scored 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting in the first half while also dishing four assists. The Raptors’ offense struggled outside of him and Jonas Valanciunas, and Lowry’s aggression was instrumental in creating the baskets the Raptors did manage to find. With DeMar DeRozan struggling early on, the loss of Lowry looms even larger, if he’s ultimately doesn’t return. Cory Joseph checked in for Lowry after a timeout.
UPDATE: Per @RaptorsMR, Lowry is available to return, and the team is calling it a sore left ankle.
After that announcement, Lowry was testing his ankle out on the sideline, then returned to the game. Crisis averted. Exhale. What a scare, though.
UPDATE: Late in the third quarter, Lowry headed back to the locker room limping. @RaptorsMR announced that he will not return.
Down 26, this seems like a case of the Raptors not pushing it rather than a flare-up. At least, that has to be the hope, because they need Lowry, and need him at his best, to have a chance of turning this thing around.
