In a heartwarming moment that resonated deeply with fans, former Toronto Raptors superstar Kyle Lowry received an enthusiastic standing ovation during his brief appearance in a Philadelphia 76ers game against the Raptors on January 12, 2026. This emotional return unfolded as the 76ers secured a commanding 115-102 victory.
For Lowry, a six-time All-Star and beloved figure in Toronto, this could potentially mark his last time stepping onto the court in the city where he dedicated nine seasons of his career, culminating in an unforgettable championship win in 2019. "I got an opportunity to experience probably one of the greatest basketball moments of my personal career," he reflected, clutching the game ball after making his first appearance since December 23, when he faced off against Brooklyn.
Throughout the game, the Raptors struggled to keep pace, trailing by double digits for much of the evening. As the game neared its conclusion, the crowd of 18,127 began chanting, "We want Lowry!" Their excitement peaked when 76ers head coach Nick Nurse, who previously guided the Raptors to their title, called upon Lowry to replace Tyrese Maxey.
Nurse commented on the crowd's reaction, saying, "I thought they didn't think I was really going to do it, but I was planning on it there and got a good moment to do it. It was nice to be able to kind of bring him in on his own there."
Despite the anticipation, Lowry's return featured a rocky start; he missed all three of his attempts, including an airballed three-pointer on his first shot. Nurse noted, "I called a play for him right out of the timeout and he probably wasn't quite ready for that one. Too bad that one didn't go in because he had it on line."
Now in his 20th NBA season, Lowry showed his connection to Toronto by arriving at the game in an Auston Matthews Maple Leafs hockey jersey. He reiterated his commitment to the Raptors, emphasizing his desire to sign a one-day contract in the future so he can officially retire as a member of the team. "That has not changed," Lowry asserted on Sunday, leaving fans hopeful for his eventual return to the franchise he helped elevate to prominence.
