Toronto Raptors starting point guard Kyle Lowry has a sprained ankle; that much we know courtesy of The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
As to when (or if) the Villanova product will be available to face the Boston Celtics in their second-round Eastern Conference playoff series, that remains to be determined.
The Raptors guard will be highly motivated to return as soon as he is able, but Toronto is keeping his playings status close to the vest.
Exiting the Raps Game 4 win of the Brooklyn Nets after appearing to turn his ankle in the first quarter, the veteran floor general would not return, and have the arch of his foot imaged by an MRI after the game, causing some confusion.
Raptors star Kyle Lowry has been diagnosed with a left ankle sprain and status will be updated later.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 24, 2020
The Raptors have acknowledged the sprain, but have not shared any information as to why the arch was being looked at, nor on any timetable for Lowry’s return.
“It would hurt us a lot,” related head coach Nick Nurse after their sweep of the Nets on the prospect of playing without the Pennsylvanian.
“You guys know how big a cog he is to this whole thing,” Nurse added. “He’s our most experienced, toughest leader we got.”
Celtics officially facing Raptors in 2nd round after Nets elimination https://t.co/eXKKDdkKfV
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) August 24, 2020
It could be that the Raps will have to go it without Lowry for a game or even several; it might also be the case that the veteran guard is closer than that to a return, and are just using the injury to make game-planning harder for a game between two cagey coaches.
On Thursday, when Game 1 of the series between the two Atlantic Division teams is set to begin, we’ll find out.
