Raptors guard Kyle Lowry has sprained ankle, status for Game 1 vs. Boston unknown
The Toronto Raptors are dealing with an injury days before their Eastern Conference semifinals series against the Boston Celtics is set to begin.
The team announced Monday that point guard Kyle Lowry has been diagnosed with a sprained left ankle. Lowry came up limping after stepping on the foot of Brooklyn Nets guard Chris Chiozza late in the first quarter of Toronto’s Game 4, first-round victory over the Nets on Sunday.
Lowry initially stayed in the game after a timeout, but went back to the locker room and did not return as the Raptors finished off the sweep with a 150-122 win.
Toronto said that Lowry underwent an MRI but did not offer specifics on his status ahead of Thursday’s series opener against Boston. Lowry, a six-time All-Star, averaged 19.4 points, 7.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds per game during the regular season.
Against Brooklyn, Lowry scored in double figures in the first three games of the series, including a 21-point effort in Game 2.
The Raptors were 12-2 in games that Lowry missed during the season. If Lowry is unable to play in Game 1, the Raptors could shift Fred VanVleet to point guard and insert Norman Powell into the starting lineup. Powell scored 29 points off the bench on 9-of-14 shooting in Sunday’s win.
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