Kyle Lowry may have played his final NBA game in Toronto, and the moment did not go unnoticed. The Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Toronto Raptors 115-102 on Monday, Jan. 12, at Scotiabank Arena. The result mattered in the standings, but the night ultimately belonged to Lowry.
Kyle Lowry Received a Heartwarming Welcome In the Raptors vs. 76ers Game
Playing for the 76ers, the 39-year-old guard checked into the game with 1:57 remaining and immediately received a loud standing ovation from the Toronto crowd.
It was a brief appearance, just two minutes of garbage time, but it carried deep meaning for a player who spent nine seasons with the Raptors and helped deliver the franchise’s first NBA title in 2019.
The Raptors’ official X account shared a video of Lowry entering the game. The clip showed him hugging Tyrese Maxey as Maxey encouraged the crowd to get louder. The team captioned the post, “All love for Kyle Lowry 🤝.”
All love for Kyle Lowry 🤝 pic.twitter.com/6DtnBdA5Lz
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) January 13, 2026
Lowry smiled as he soaked in the moment.
Raptors beat reporter Josh Lewenberg noted the significance of the scene, suggesting it may have been Lowry’s final appearance in Toronto as an NBA player.
“Kyle Lowry checks in and receives a standing ovation from Raptors fans, maybe (probably) for the last time as an NBA player,” Lewenberg wrote. “Next one will come when he watches his No. 7 go into the rafters.”
Kyle Lowry checks in and receives a standing ovation from Raptors fans, maybe (probably) for the last time as an NBA player. Next one will come when he watches his No. 7 go into the rafters. pic.twitter.com/05dt6EgQWh
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) January 13, 2026
After the game, Lowry reflected on the experience and credited his teammates for putting him in a position to enjoy the moment.
“I think that was part of their plan, to make sure I got in there,” Lowry said, per Lewenberg. “I got an opportunity to experience one of the greatest basketball moments of my personal career,” per Lewenberg.
Lowry was the face of the Raptors from 2012 to 2021. He joined the team in July 2012 after being acquired in a trade from the Houston Rockets. Over 601 games with Toronto, he averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.9 rebounds, becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in assists and one of its most beloved players.
Despite wearing a 76ers uniform, Lowry received nothing but appreciation from Raptors fans. The ovation reflected his lasting impact on the city and the organization.
Lowry joined the 76ers in February 2024 after being bought out of his contract by the Charlotte Hornets, returning to his hometown team late in his career. This season, he has played in just six games, averaging one point, 0.5 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 7.5 minutes per game.
Philadelphia improved to 22-16 with the win and currently sits fifth in the Eastern Conference.
If this was indeed Lowry’s final time on an NBA floor in the city, it ended with the respect and admiration he earned over nearly a decade.
