Kyle Lowry given standing ovation in Toronto as 76ers win
Jan 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry (7) and guard Tyrese Maxey (0) smile as they leave the court after a win over the Toronto Raptors at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
It was a brief appearance during a lopsided finish, but it meant everything for Kyle Lowry. The Philadelphia 76ers veteran received a thunderous standing ovation when he entered the game for the final 1:57 minutes of Philadelphia’s 115-102 victory in Toronto on Monday night.
Lowry received an ovation from Raptors fans
It could be the last appearance the 39-year-old makes in the city where he spent nine seasons and won the championship in 2019. « I had the opportunity to experience probably one of the greatest basketball moments of my personal career », said Lowry, who left with the game ball after his first appearance since December 23 against Brooklyn.
« A standing ovation for the greatest Raptor of all-time. »
What a moment for Kyle Lowry 🥹 pic.twitter.com/L5pYDvKpjJ
— NBA (@NBA) January 13, 2026
A well-deserved ovation for a Toronto legend
With a double-digit deficit most of the evening, the crowd of 18,127 began chanting « We want Lowry! » in the fourth quarter. They erupted with joy when 76ers coach Nick Nurse, who had led Toronto to their 2019 title, called on Lowry to replace Tyrese Maxey.
« I didn’t think they believed I was really going to do it, but I was planning on it and I found a good time to do it », Nurse said about the crowd’s reaction. « It was nice to be able to get him in alone like that. »
Lowry missed a 3-pointer on his first attempt and missed all three shots he took, all from long range. « I called a play for him right after the timeout and he probably wasn’t quite ready for that one », Nurse explained. « Too bad that one didn’t go in because it was on the right trajectory. »
The six-time All-Star is in his 20th NBA season. He had arrived at Sunday’s game in Toronto wearing an Auston Matthews Maple Leafs hockey jersey, and he reiterated his intention to eventually sign a one-day contract to retire as a Raptor.
Kyle Lowry raises the Larry O’Brien trophy. 🙌🙌🙌
(🎥: @Raptors)pic.twitter.com/xSG975su1K
— theScore (@theScore) June 14, 2019
« That hasn’t changed », Lowry said Sunday. « My goal, I’ve committed to that, and I never go back on what I say, I will sign a one-day contract and retire as a Raptor. »
This emotional evening was a reminder of Lowry’s lasting impact on the Toronto franchise and its fans, who consider the point guard one of the greatest Raptors of all time.
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